🌱 Patch AM: How Linn-Mar’s new coach turned the Lions into instant contenders

Hey hey Marion! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Linn-Mar’s new coach turned the Lions into instant contenders
• What La Cantina’s Cedar Rapids closure means for its Marion location
• Why are some Cedar Rapids families choosing Marion schools instead?

Also on today's calendar: A fun, free, community event to shop with local vendors — Kingston Yard and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A.M. flurries; windy, colder, with a high of 32 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 25, low: 18.
• Friday: Cloudy and turning colder, with a high of 24 and low of 2 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Linn-Mar off to strong start with first-year coach (thegazette.com) — Linn-Mar’s boys swim team in Marion is off to a powerful start under new head coach George Durin, already sitting fourth in the state power rankings. Led by senior standout and double state champion Parker Macho, the Lions boast several top state times as they head into key meets at Grinnell and Iowa City West.
   

• La Cantina closes Cedar Rapids restaurant (thegazette.com) — La Cantina’s Edgewood Road restaurant in Cedar Rapids has closed, but its Marion location on Seventh Avenue is still open for customers. Owners say recent years brought financial challenges and even a fire at the Cedar Rapids site, and they’re urging residents to keep supporting local small businesses so remaining locations, including Marion’s, can stay strong.
   

• Cedar Rapids Schools: Breaking down the enrollment drop, why students are leaving (kcrg.com) — Cedar Rapids schools are facing an $11 million budget gap driven partly by a steep enrollment drop, while some kindergarten families are choosing nearby districts like Marion Independent instead. Concerns about safety, discipline, and academic rigor are pushing families to look elsewhere, and Marion’s schools may feel the impact of this shift in students and resources.
   

📸 Around Marion

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Marion

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Santa at the Grove
  Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, 170 1st St SW, Cedar Rapids
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• A fun, free, community event to shop with local vendors — Kingston Yard
  Kingston Yard , 145 3rd St SW , Cedar Rapids
  12:00 pm
• Dungeons & Dragons
  Marion Public Library , 1101 6th Ave , Marion
  1:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Junior Varsity Boys Wrestling - Boys Wrestling JV Tournament
  Vinton-Shellsburg High School
  4:30 pm
• Varsity Girls Wrestling - Wamac Girls Triangular
  Independence High School , Independence
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Varsity Robotics - Robotics Competition
  Marion High School
  4:00 pm
• Freshman Boys Basketball - Marion vs West Delaware
  West Delaware High School
  4:30 pm
• Junior Varsity Girls Basketball - Marion vs West Delaware
  West Delaware High School
  5:45 pm

📣 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

Wednesday December 10

• Rooted: Labor, Land, & Legacy
  African American Museum Of Iowa , 55 12th Ave SE , Cedar Rapids
  12:00 pm
• Tie a Jig, Catch a Fish
  Wickiup Hill Learning Center , 10260 Morris Hills Rd , Toddville
  5:30 pm
• Recycled Book Gnomes
  Hiawatha Public Library , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha
  6:00 pm
• 2 JAMS 1 CUP
  The Ideal Theater & Bar , 213 16th Ave SE , Cedar Rapids
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Anyone missing a gentle giant?!
  We were able to put her in our garage with a blanket! 2057 Crestwood Ln! (Nextdoor Prairie Hill Dr)
• I recently had cataract surgery, and no longer need my regular glasses.
  I have several pairs of glasses that have really nice frames yet. Does the Lions Club still collect them, or does anyone know where I could take them? (Nextdoor Barrington Hills)

• Papa Murphy's Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Marion. Apply here.
• Michaels Stores posted a job opening for Retail - Service Team Member - Seasonal in Marion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hiawatha

• We The People: Cedar Rapids father honors Air Force veteran son with military tribute banner (kcrg.com)
• Government Notes: Cedar Rapids schools begins work to create next 7 year strategic plan (thegazette.com)
• Charles Chuck H. Bammert III (thegazette.com)

Cedar Rapids

• Cedar Rapids airport sees record-breaking numbers for 10th consecutive month (kwwl.com)
• Closing schools ‘necessary' as Cedar Rapids district aims to reduce budget by more than $10 million (thegazette.com)
• Cedar Rapids officer honored at masquerade ball recognizing military and first responders (wqad.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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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