Senator Liz Mathis Officially Files for District 34

Democrat Mathis will go up against Marion businesswoman Randi Shannon for a Seat in the Senate.

Marion Businesswoman Enters Senate Race

Randi Shannon will go up against Liz Mathis to represent Senate District 34.

Linn County Departments Feeling Pain at the Pump

Some heads of departments in Linn County are saying that their fuel budget isn't lasting as long as intended.

Marion Library to Loan out Nearly One Million Items

The Marion Public Library director said the library's enormous selection and growing amount of patrons have necessitated the plans for a new library.

Liz Mathis Has Key Vote — Should She Support Nuclear Power Bill?

A bill in the Iowa State Senate could lead to construction of a nuclear power plant. Since Marion Sen. Liz Mathis has said she is undecided, how would you like her to vote?

Group that Called for Sales Tax Calls it Quits

In an interview with The Gazette, the chairman of the pro-sales tax organization, Cedar Rapids Extended Sales Tax, essentially said he’s dropping the issue.

If It Was Up to Marion Voters, Sales Tax Would Have Passed

Even though the local-option sales tax vote failed last night, Marion residents as a group voted in favor of extending the tax.

Cedar Rapids Metro Votes Down Local-Option Sales Tax

Residents in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area have voted down the 10-year extension of the local-option sales tax.

Local Option Sales Tax Voters Guide

Check out our guide to today's local option sales tax vote.

Decision Reached on Vaporizing Marion's Trash

Plasma Power LLC has reached a decision for the recently amended contract to provide waste for a trash vaporizing facility.

Why Marion Mayor Voted Against the Trash Vaporizer Council Endorsed

The Marion City voted five to one in favor of a new contract with the Plasma Power LLC to provide trash for their plasma arc facility.

Vaporized Trash OKed in Marion

A revised contract with the Florida based company, Plasma Power LLC., was approved by the council.

Trash Vaporizing Plan Delayed. When Will it be Completed?

Last night, the Marion City Council voted to revise the contract between Marion and Plasma Power LLC., the contractors for the city's plasma arc project.

Should We Vaporize Marion Trash?

Plans to build a "plasma arc" facility in Cedar Rapids or Marion are moving forward.

New Marion Mayor "Can't Say No" to Construction Projects

In an interview edited for clarity and conciseness, I met with Marion Mayor Allen "Snooks" Bouska and spoke with him on his time as mayor and the origins of his nickname.

Official: Baseball Complex Could Bring Approximately $25 Million to Marion's Economy

The recently approved, 17 field baseball and softball complex in county land just north of Marion has the potential to bring in a lot of money to our city.

Just How Much Do You Like Baseball, Marion?

The Linn County Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on whether or not to approve a lease of county land north of Marion to be used for an enormous baseball field complex.

Iowa Patch Poll: Will Obama's Jobs Initiatives Work?

In Wednesday's speech in Cedar Rapids, President Obama outlined a plan to revive the U.S. economy and manufacturing. Now, we ask you: Do you think it will work?

(Update) Obama Introduces Job Initiatives in Cedar Rapids

In a speech following Obama's State of the Union address, the president spoke to a crowd of over 400 people at Conveyor Engineering and Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids.

Obama Tells Cedar Rapids Crowd: 'Our Economy is Getting Stronger'

Obama spoke for about 30 minutes at a manufacturing plant in Cedar Rapids. It was his first stop following his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

PATCH POLL: Opinions Split on Iowa Fuel Tax Hike, What Do You Think?

Iowa lawmakers plan to propose an 8- to 10-cents-per-gallon fuel tax increase.

Obama Strikes Back at Republicans During Address; More to Come in Iowa Today, Political Watchers Say

Barack Obama's speech at last night's State of the Union address was an attempt to strike back at Republicans, political science professors say.

Marion Patch: Obama is Coming to CR Because it is a "Jobs City"

The commander in chief is making the first stop on his State of the Union tour to Conveyor Engineering & Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday.

What's the Gas Tax and What Does it Have to Do with Marion?

A look at the proposed gas tax and it's impact in Marion and across the state.

POLL: Is Iowa Still an Obama State?

U.S. President Barack Obama seems to have a love affair with the Hawkeye state, but is the love mutual or is it a one-way street?

UPDATE (6 p.m.): Santorum Finishes on Top, But Some Want Changes to Protect First-in-the-Nation Iowa Caucus

The state GOP has certified that results changed in 131 Iowa precincts from Caucus night and missing ballots in eight precincts weren't counted. Some are upset by how the finish was managed, while others defend that human error is to be expected in a vote

Key Iowa Republican Calls for GOP Head to Step Down, Others 'Embarrassed' by GOP Handling of Iowa Caucus

Some Iowa political insiders are not happy with the state party officials' handling of the 2012 Iowa Caucus, which ended with less than an earnest declaration of who won.

Marion Republican Supervisor Said He's "Embarrassed" by Unclear Caucus Results

Republican Linn County supervisor from Marion, Brent Oleson, said the unclear caucus results reflect poorly on Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus status.

Marion Smokeless Nicotine Retailers Can No Longer Sell to Minors

Vendors of smokeless nicotine products will now require a retail cigarette permit and will no longer be able to sell the items products to minors.

Marion Council Meeting: Sneak Peak at Optional Sales Tax Appropriations

During today's Marion City Council meeting, the council will divulge some specifics as to how they might use revenue from a possible renewal of the Local Option Sales Tax.

Barack Obama to Visit Cedar Rapids on Wednesday

On January 25, U.S. President Barack Obama will be speaking in the City of Five Seasons.

Romney or Santorum? True Winner of Iowa Caucus May Remain a Mystery

The 2012 Iowa Caucus winner may never be known.

Chamber, Business Owners Pitch Marion in Des Moines

Today, the Marion Chamber of Commerce as well as several business owners and community leaders, will be fighting for Marion to receive the Main Street Iowa designation.

Poll: As Victorious Romney Looks to SC, Do You Miss the Iowa Caucus Circus?

Missing political news? Here is coverage of the New Hampshire primaries from our Patch colleagues out East. And we want to know: Do you miss the attention, Iowa?

12 Ways to Use Marion Patch in 2012

With your help, we'll have the community covered in the new year.

Mathis Eyes Tower Terrace Road Improvements for Marion as Legislature Gets Underway

With the 2012 legislative session starting Monday, Marion Patch sat down with Iowa District 18 State Senator Liz Mathis and discussed how she plans to represent our district in the state legislature.

Marion Patch Q & A: Liz Mathis' New Gig

In an interview edited for conciseness, I spoke with the newly elected Iowa State Senate District 18 representative and spoke with her about her new job.

Was Enough Time Given for Marion Police Station Bond?

The Marion City Council voted 7-0 Thursday to move forward with plans to pay for a new police station, but some have said the council and the public didn't have enough time to digest the changed plan.

Public Hearings Tonight on Three Multimillion Dollar Bonds, including for New Marion Police Station

The Marion City Council will hold public hearings on three multimillion dollar bonds, including one that could fund a brand-new police station.

Marion Votes Santorum

How did the Marion Caucus sites perform? Which candidate did Marion go for?