Marion Sun

10/12/2023

Marion Mobile Speed Unit Locations from Dec 11th to Dec 17th

For this week, December 11th through the 17th, the mobile speed unit will be in the following areas: 2800-blk 29th Avenue 1500-blk 50th Street Praire Ridge Ave at Crestwood Lane

10/12/2023

Photos: Marion Sun's Weather Squirrel Tests Bird Bath, Confirms it is Below Freezing in Marion, Iowa Today.

Sage, the Marion Sun Weather Squirrel, has confirmed that it is indeed below freezing currently in Marion by testing the water in the bird bath.

10/12/2023

Three Marion Firefighters Receive Significant "Fire Officer" Credential

Marion Fire Department Lieutenant Jeff Madland, Lieutenant Zach Bruce and Firefighter Zach Brunscheen have successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of Fire Officer (FO), reports the City of Marion. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on Dec. 5, 2...

10/12/2023

Marion Sun Weekly Horoscopes for December 10th

Aries (March 21 – April 19): This week calls for strategic action, Aries. Your path is illuminated by clarity, guiding you to make thoughtful decisions. Embrace collaboration in your professional life – a joint venture could yield surprising results. Ta**us (April 20 – May 20): Ta**us, seek ha...

08/12/2023

Marion's Peace Tree Lightshow Explained

The the 30-foot LED panel Peace tree in Marion’s City Square Park does a light show to five pre-recorded songs, Marion Parks and Recreation says in a Facebook post. In December, the show is programmed to play at the top of every hour between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

08/12/2023

Boulevard Apartments and Townhomes Holds Ribbon Cutting Grand Opening

Boulevard Apartments and Townhomes located at 640 Marion Blvd celebrated their grand opening on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting with the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Boulevard offers 99 units offering a variety of studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and townhomes.

08/12/2023

New Marion Automated Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Program Expected in Fall 2024

The City of Marion continues to move forward with it’s automated garbage collection plan which will replace the current curbside collection program for garbage, recycling and yard waste. The program is expected to begin in Fall 2024 per the Project Summary Schedule as outlined below. As presented ...

08/12/2023

Looking for a Christmas gift? Check out the Is This Heaven? Iowa 2024 Wall Calendar. Here is the cover and the 12 photos. Please order by Dec 12th for delivery by Dec 24th. Link in the comments.

07/12/2023

Marion Methodist Church Transformation to Belltower Lofts Advances

While not much has changed to its outside appearance, the former Marion Methodist Church may be a step closer to becoming Belltower Lofts, a multi-family housing project, this week. On Thursday, the Marion City Council will review a $2,595,000 Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery ...

07/12/2023

Flower Therapy Blooms in Marion

By: David V. Wendell Cassie Hammermeister is rooted in her business, and it has blossomed into a growing success.  Hammermeister and her husband, Jesse, purchased the McGowan House on the 500 block of 10th Street from the city of Marion this November.  The historic residence had been donated by th...

07/12/2023

Marion Police Officer Tom Daubs On Preventing Package Porch Pirates This Holiday Season

Marion Police Officer Tom Daubs joined ABC 9 to talk about how people can prevent package porch pirates during the holiday shopping season. Clip below.

07/12/2023

Photo of the Day: Marion's Disappearing Culture at Sunset

Tonight’s sunset lit up the sky in almost every direction. This is a shot of the bison in Lowe Park, part of Disappearing Culture, a public art piece by J. Aaron Alderman, installed in September 2017. Photographed by Christopher V. Sherman on December 6, 2023.

07/12/2023

The Marion Sun’s Calendar of Events seeks to answer the age old question: What is there to do? Visit the calendar at https://marionsun.com/events/

06/12/2023

Marion's Kesha Billings Receives Waypoint's Tribute to Women of Achievement Award

Kesha Billings, senior planner with the City of Marion’s Community Development Department, was honored for her service to the community during Waypoint’s 42nd annual Tribute to Women of Achievement event. The award was presented on Dec. 5, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapi...

06/12/2023

Picture Perfect Farms in Marion. Charles Freitag, of Marion, is one of the leading agriculture artists in the country. Read more about him below.

by: David V. Wendell Charles Freitag, of Marion, is the perfect picture of a farmer, or, actually, he creates perfect pictures of farmers. Freitag, who resides in a spacious home that also serves as his studio on the northeast side of the city, is one of the nation’s premier agriculture artists. I...

06/12/2023

Photo of the Day: Big Creek Bridge in Winter

Big Creek Bridge in Winter. Bertram, Iowa. Prints available here.

05/12/2023

36 Hours: Marion Snow and Ice Clearance Ordinance

Marion property owners are required to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Per city ordinance, snow and ice shall be cleared within 36 hours after the snow or ice has been deposited on the sidewalk, according to a recent reminder from the Marion City Parks & Recreation department. The entire...

05/12/2023

How Heartbroken Marion-Born Bob Stinson Became the Hermit of Marjum Pass

Have you heard the intriguing story of Marion’s Bob Stinson also known as the “Hermit of Marjum Pass”? Born in Marion, Iowa, on April 21, 1880, Stinson served in World War I. After returning to Marion from the war, he was devastated to find out that his fiancée had married someone else, accor...

04/12/2023

Joy Boutique of Marion Featured on KCRG

Joy Boutique of Marion was featured on KCRG today. Yesterday the Marion Sun featured a profile on Joy Purdy. See the video below for the KCRG feature.

04/12/2023

Photos: Winter Bliss

There’s just something special about a red barn in winter. This was shot off Bliss Rd, north of Mt Vernon Rd., a couple of years ago. The first and last images were taken from the ground and the middle was taken with a drone. Sadly the big tree out front is no longer standing. These are part of Ch...

04/12/2023

Todd Taylor is the Second State Senator to Announce Run for a Linn County Office

State Senator Todd Taylor (D) announced his run for Linn County Auditor. Taylor was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 after serving in the Iowa House of Representatives for 24 years. He represents Senate District 40, which includes northwest Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Robins. On November 15,...

03/12/2023

Joy to the World in Marion

by: David V. Wendell The joy of fashion is to be found at Joy, on 11th Street, in Uptown Marion. This is literally the name of the upscale apparel shop and its proprietor. Joy Purdy was born Joy Ordonez at Naga City, in the Philippine Islands.  After many stops, and places of careers along the way,...

03/12/2023

Marion Mobile Speed Unit Locations Dec 4 to Dec 10

For this week, 12/4 – 12/10, the mobile speed unit will be in the following areas: 2700-blk 24th Street 2800-blk 3rd Avenue 200-blk W. Williams Drive

03/12/2023

Collins Road Theatres Celebrating 20th Anniversary

Collins Road Theatres in Marion, a destination for movie enthusiasts, is commemorating its 20th anniversary and will offer movie tickets at their original 2003 price of four dollars and discounts on snacks on December 5th, reports KHAK. Opened on December 5, 2003, by Bruce Taylor, the theater faced....

03/12/2023

A Pink Christmas in Marion

by: David V. Wendell If the crowd at the Uptown Marion Peppermint Walk is any indication, it’s going to be a pink Christmas.  Hundreds of children and their parents waited in lines a full block long to tell Santa what they want for Christmas this year.  The overwhelming favorite, which was repea...

03/12/2023

Marion Sun Weekly Horoscopes for December 3rd

Aries (March 21 – April 19): This week, Aries, your fiery energy is at its peak. Embrace new opportunities with open arms, but be wary of impulsive decisions. A surprise encounter could lead to meaningful connections. Channel your passion into creative pursuits for maximum fulfillment. Ta**us (Apr...

03/12/2023

Cedar County Cobras Play Intimate Lowe Park Setting

Blues duo Cedar County Cobras played Lowe Park Friday night, December 2nd, in an intimate setting, as part of the Coffeehouse Nights presented by the Marion Arts Council. Cedar County Cobras’ music takes on an “old time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel ...

02/12/2023

Marion Bright: A Christmas in the Park Photo Gallery

Crowds turned out for Christmas in the Park Friday December 1, greeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, taking horse drawn carriage rides, enjoying music in the library, snacks, the lights, the people and of course the tree lighting.

02/12/2023

Photo: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides In Uptown

A photo of the Friday night’s Horse Drawn Carriage at Christmas in the Park in Uptown Marion.

01/12/2023

Christmas in the Park Kicks off with Santa’s Arrival

Christmas in the Park 2023 Kicks off in Marion with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by the Marion Fire Department.

01/12/2023

Fashion and Firs

by: David V. Wendell Tammy Cannavo, proprietor of DiModa Fashion Boutique, in Marion, knows fashion and firs. No, that’s not a mispelling, she does not specialize in animal hides, but rather designer apparel and holiday trees (firs, spruces, and any other kind). It may sound like an unusual combin...

01/12/2023

The Marion Merchant to Focus on Online Sales, Close Uptown Retail Shop

The Marion Merchant, founded by Rob and Laurie Klein, is transitioning to online and custom orders and will close it’s retail shop located at 1090 7th Ave #100 in Uptown Marion in December. “The Marion community has been great to us and the feedback we’ve received has been phenomenal,” the K...

30/11/2023

Snow Expected Friday Morning

A wintry mix of rain, snow and possibly freezing rain is expected tonight through Friday, says National Weather Service Quad Cities. Most of the snow accumulations will happen between 6 AM and noon.

30/11/2023

Marion Merchant Store Looks Like Santa’s Workshop

By: David V. Wendell Rob Klein never thought of himself as a professional woodworker, the proprietor of the new retail gift shop, Marion Merchant, in Uptown Marion, spent most of his life as a mechanic in the military.  Being fascinated by machinery, after retirement from the armed services, he pic...

30/11/2023

New Art Exhibit Opens at Lowe Park This Saturday, Dec 2nd.

A new art exhibit is opening at Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center art gallery this Saturday, December 2nd and will run until January 25, 2024. Dubbed Four Midwest Friends, the this free new exhibit from features work from Chris Childers, Robert Murphy, Denise Murphy and Eli Ehlinger, according t...

30/11/2023

Rain, Snow, and Freezing Rain Expected Thursday Night into Friday Morning

Expect a period of mixed precipitation including rain, snow, and freezing rain Thursday night into Friday morning with light icing likely after midnight tonight that will impact the Friday AM commute, says the National Weather Service Quad Cities. Total snowfall of 1 to 2 inches combined with a tent...

30/11/2023

Yield to Horses in Uptown on Friday

Marion will kick off the holiday season with Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk on Friday, Dec. 1, from 4-8 p.m. in City Square Park and Uptown Marion. Horse drawn rides will follow a route in the Uptown area north on 10th Street, east on 8th Avenue, south on 12th Street, and west on 7th Aven...

29/11/2023

The Grandma Moses of Marion

by: David V. Wendell Barb Prall is the Grandma Moses of Marion.  A professional painter since the 1950s, at 91, she is the grand dame of art in the community. Prall was born in 1932 at Cedar Rapids, the granddaughter of the founder of one of the earliest drug stores in the city and the daughter of ...

29/11/2023

Starry Elementary's Kelli Johnson Receives School Counselor of the Year Award

The Iowa School Counselor Association (ISCA) announced that Kelli Johnson with Starry Elementary was recognized at a recent annual conference as the Iowa School Counselor of the Year (Elementary) by the American School Counselor Association. The ASCA School Counselor of the Year program honors the p...

29/11/2023

Photo: Lowe Park Winter Sunset 11/28/2023

It was 23 degrees out this evening at Lowe Park at Sunset. But the sky was on fire. Photo by Christopher V. Sherman.