Linn County Casino Vote Set for March 5

Linn County residents will be asked to vote on a countywide gaming referendum that could pave the way for a new casino.

Marion Eyeing $50K in 'Assault Rifles' for Police Officers

Marion City Council meets at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mathis: State Awaits Cue From Counties on Funding Needs for Mental Health

If Iowa opts out of the Medicaid expansion, poor Iowans with severe mental illnesses – one in six, according to a recent study – could be harmed.

Report: Bruce Braley Considering Run for Iowa Governor in 2014

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, is consulting Democrats around the state about his chances to win the Iowa governorship, which is currently held by Terry Branstad, a Republican.

Top 9 of Iowa: Gabby Douglas to Rio in 2016? Vote on Linn County Casino, Teen Faces Vehicular Homicide, Ankeny Football Legend's Future

Also, an editorial page regular passed away in Cedar Falls.

E-books, Legos, High Circulation and Clogged Toilets at the Marion Public Library

Marion Public Library Director Doug Raber presented a report on the library's past and future at the recent Marion City Council meeting. City Councillors also approved payment of a slew of bills totaling roughly $1.5 million.

Library Report, Alcohol Permits and $1.5 Million in Bills: Marion City Council Meets Tonight

Marion City Council meets tonight at City Hall.

Linn County Supervisors Verify Petition for Public Vote on Casino

More than 16,000 signatures were gathered by the Vote Yes Linn County group, which supports building a casino. Of those, 15,491 were verified, which was still 3,600 more than required for a public vote.

Community Coalition Forms to Oppose Plans for Linn County Casino

A community coalition has formed to oppose an $80 million new casino in Linn County. A public vote could be held this spring.

Linn County Swears in Elected Officials: Sheriff, Supervisors; Harris Selected Chairperson

Supervisors Linda Langston, Brent Oleson and Ben Rogers and Sheriff Brian Gardner were among those sworn in on Wednesday by Judge Patrick Grady.

Oh Christmas Tree, It's Time for You and Your Dropping Needles to Go

Marion will be picking up Christmas trees on the curbside, and trash collection has been pushed back.

Marion Residents Included in Notable Deaths List for 2012

Craig Wander, Lumir Dostal and Perry Walton were included as notable deaths in 2012.

What's Open and What's Closed for New Year's in Marion?

New Year's hours for Lindale Mall, Marion Library, YMCA, Hy-Vee, mail, and more.

What is Garbage Pick Up Schedule for New Year's Day in Marion?

If you trash collection is on New Years Day have no fear, the garbage truck is not far away.

Gay Robot, Glitter-Bombed Santorum, Pistol-Whipped Nun 'Humor,' Michele 'Thatcher' Bachmann, and Dead Senator Wins: Weird Iowa Politics 2012

In Iowa, 2012 had all the weird politics needed -- and then some -- to keep the state interested.

Fiscal Cliff: What It Means For My 2013 Paycheck?

The financial deadline looms in Washington, with no deal yet made. Check this primer, and share your questions and thoughts.

Blue Iowa Survey: 'Put a Teacher in Every Gun Store;' Iowa Democrats, GOP Differ Sharply on Guns, Guards in Schools After Newtown Shootings

More than 80 percent of influential Democrats surveyed in the most recent Patch Blue Iowa survey strongly oppose armed guards in schools, and another 10 percent somewhat oppose armed guards.

Red Iowa Survey: 75% Support Armed Guards in Schools; 62% Oppose Ban on Rapid-Fire Guns

The majority of influential Iowa Republicans support having armed guards in schools and oppose banning rapid-fire guns, according to a Red Iowa survey taken after the Newtown shooting.

Linn-Mar Student Expresses Concern for Younger Sister to City Council Members

The Linn-Mar student told Marion City Council members he worries about his little sister facing potentially dangerous traffic conditions at an intersections near Novak Elementary.

Holiday Hours: What's Opened and What's Closed Around Marion for Christmas Eve and Christmas

There's a few things open on Christmas, but not much.

Draco Storm Updates: Closings, Road Conditions, Forecast, Power Outages, Jackknifed Semi

Latest forecast for Marion is 6 inches of accumulation and continued harsh winds. American Airlines has cancelled all flights. Thousands of Alliant customers without power.

Massage Parlors in Prostitution Sting Remain Under Fire in Marion

Marion officials are pushing a request to revoke the licenses of local massage parlors that were involved in prostitution stings. There will be a hearing about the licenses during a City Council meeting on Thursday.

Update: Tow Ban for Linn County; Marion Declares Winter Storm Emergency for Thursday with Draco Looming

The emergency status restricts parking on city streets.

People Stocking Up as Marion Braces For Blizzard Draco

Ace Hardware is busy with customer getting prepared for the storm, while public service workers are waiting to get called into action.

Christmas Tree Pick Up Schedule in Marion

The Marion Public Services department has you covered for curb side Christmas tree pick up.

What is Garbage Pick Up Schedule for Christmas in Marion?

If you trash collection is on Christmas Day have no fear, the garbage truck is not far away.

Editor's Pick: Obama in Iowa Gives Shout-Out to His GOP 'Homeboy,' Abe Lincoln: Best of 2012

Lance Mack, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator from Marion, made an appearance to Barack Obama's speech in Cedar Rapids.

Marion Construction Report: Blairs Ferry, Tower Terrace, Traffic Congestion Around Vernon Middle School

Millions of dollars in roads projects are underway or being considered around Marion. Take a look at their status.

Iowa GOP Candidate Quits Senate Race to Become Senator of Alternative Government: Best of 2012

Randi Shannon, who was the official Republican candidate on the ballot for Iowa Senate District 34, thanked her fellow Ron Paul supporters in announcing she's left the race to become a senator with the "original government."

Marion Seeks Funds for Lowe Park Amphitheater

The city will ask for a grant from Vision Iowa to help fund the $1.7 million project.

Marion's Central Corridor First Phase - Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Updates include a multi-use path, infrastructure updates, streetscaping and reconstruction of Sixth Avenue between Eighth Street to 13th Street.

Push for No Parking Zone Frustrates Some Marion Residents

Marion City Council met on Thursday and discussed a no parking zone on 29th Street.

Marion City Council Tonight: How Do You Feel About 25 MPH Speed Limit on 6th Avenue?

Marion City Council is meeting tonight for its regular meeting. It is at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Linn County Issues 105 Gun Permits in November

Gun permits were issued to people in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Alburnett, Center Point, Ely, Coggon, Walford, Toddville, Robins, Walker, Central City and Hiawatha.

Marion Construction Update: Central Corridor Project Ribbon Cutting on Friday

Updates on Marion engineering project construction projects for 31st Street, Central Corridor, Tower Terrace Road, Indian Creek and others.

31st Street Extension Opens Up Marion, Many Possibilities

Marion officials put the bookend on a project 20 years in the making by opening a north-south throughway on Tuesday.

Prospect Meadows Wants to Delay Agreement for Athletic Complex

The group wants to have until April 1 before filing an official notice to proceed.

Marion City and Waste Not Iowa Promote Plasma Arc Power Plant

While a Marion group works on plans to zap garbage with a plasma lazer, solid waste commission moves forward on turning garbage into energy.

Former Marion Family Leads Fight Against Proposed Linn County Factory Farm

A Linn County family teamed up with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement to challenge a proposed hog confinement.

Readers Sound Off on Medical Marijuana in Iowa

Patch readers share accounts of using marijuana to cope with illnesses and pros and cons of legalizing recreational or medical marijuana in Iowa.