Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a $1.5M pitch could reshape Marion’s starter-home market
Coming up: Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg on the Marion Patch calendar
Cheers Marion! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $1.5M pitch could reshape Marion’s starter-home market
- Meet the newly sworn Marion council members shaping 2026 decisions
- Which Marion coach just landed a spot on the Shrine Bowl staff?
Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Marionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Considerable cloudiness, with a high of 41 and low of 29 degrees.
- Saturday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 32, low: 17. ⛄️ Brr!
- Sunday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 29 and low of 25 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• MEDCO to seek $1.5M in state funding to bolster Marion's entry-level housing stock (thegazette.com) — Marion leaders are backing a MEDCO proposal to secure $1.5 million in state funding to revitalize the city’s aging, entry-level housing stock. The plan would create a permanent housing fund to repair older homes and support infill development, helping first-time buyers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters find affordable options in Marion’s oldest neighborhoods. 
Find out what's happening in Marionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• New City Council members take the oath of office (cbs2iowa.com) — Marion’s newest City Council members have officially taken their oaths of office, joining Mayor Nicolas AbouAssaly ahead of the first meeting of the year. Three seats were filled through the 2025 election, including at-large councilor Kelvin Unemin, and the session also included promotions for two Marion firefighters.
• Chargers Head Football Coach Named to 2026 Iowa Shrine Bowl Coaching Staff (raccoonvalleyradio.com) — Marion football fans will see a local connection on the 2026 Iowa Shrine Bowl sidelines, as Marion’s Michael Joyner was selected as an assistant coach for the South team. He’ll coach alongside AC/GC’s Cody Matthewson and several other Iowa high school coaches in the annual all-star game, which raises funds for Shriners’ children’s hospitals.
📸 Around Marion
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Marion
- Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
7:15 pm - Junior Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Cedar Rapids Washington
Washington High School
7:00 pm - Varsity Boys Wrestling - Wrestling Triangular
Solon High School
5:30 pm - Varsity Girls Wrestling - Wrestling Triangular
Solon High School
5:30 pm
Friday January 9
Monday January 12
Thursday January 15
📣 Marion Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- BKB: B/Freshman
Prairie High School , PHS South Gym (1801) , Cedar Rapids
4:00 pm - Sophomore Boys Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
4:30 pm - Junior Varsity Girls Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
4:30 pm - Varsity Girls Wrestling - Lancer Girls Wrestling Invitational
North Scott High School
5:00 pm - Freshman Boys Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
5:45 pm - BKB: B/Sophomore
Prairie High School , PHS South Gym (1801) , Cedar Rapids
6:00 pm - Varsity Girls Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
6:00 pm - Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Williamsburg
Williamsburg High School
7:15 pm
Friday January 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Marion PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- From time to time there have been posts from folks needing good but reasonable help with auto problems.
Try Kingdom Community Center. 700 Center Point Rd. N.E. It is behind Coe College. Phone 319-320-3179. Opens at 3pm today. This is a group that… (Nextdoor Willowridge XII) - FINAL REMINDER!
Entry deadline is January 14, just one week from today! Do you have a creative mind? Do you want to put your artistic stamp on the City? We are… (Nextdoor )
- GPAC posted a job opening for Audit Manager - NOW Interviewing! in Marion. Apply here.
- CDS (Club Demonstration Services) posted a job opening for Part Time Product Demonstrator in Costco in Marion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.
🗞 Nearby News
Hiawatha
- Ruth A. Shannon (vintontoday.com)
Cedar Rapids
- Cedar Rapids crime stats show drop in shots fired and shoplifting in 2025 (kwwl.com)
- Cedar Rapids police release automated license plate data (cbs2iowa.com)
- Protesters gather at Cedar Rapids ICE building over fatal shooting of Minnesota woman (cbs2iowa.com)
Ok Marion! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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