🌱 Patch AM: Know someone who quietly transforms Marion? Here’s how to nominate them.

Hi Marion! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Know someone who quietly transforms Marion? Here’s how to nominate them.
• How could Marion’s own Ashley Hinson reshape your future health costs?

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Low clouds, with a high of 28 and low of 0 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: Snow and flurries, 1-3", temps: high: 4, low: -13.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and frigid, with a high of 1 and low of -4 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Marion seeks nominees for 2026 Community Impact Award honoring local volunteers (cbs2iowa.com) — Marion residents are being asked to nominate outstanding volunteers for the 2026 Community Impact Award, jointly presented by the city and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Individuals, couples, or organizations who improve local life and demonstrate integrity and leadership are eligible, and nominations are open through January 31, 2026.
   

• Grassley, Ernst Back GOP HSA plan as ACA subsidy extension fails in Senate (thegazette.com) — Iowa’s U.S. senators backed a Republican plan centered on Health Savings Accounts instead of extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, a move Democrats say could raise premiums for many families. The debate also features Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion, who favors HSA-focused approaches and is running for Joni Ernst’s Senate seat in 2026.
   

📸 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

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

Friday December 12

• Dungeons & Dragons
  Hiawatha Public Library , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha
  5:00 pm
• PUBLIC INVITED! - BASKET NIGHT!
  El Kahir Shrine , 905 Tower Terrace Rd , Hiawatha
  5:30 pm
• The Three Sisters
  Kimmel Theatre , 820 Commons Cir , Mt Vernon
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Hiawatha Holiday Vendor Show — The Blue Strawberry
  Hiawatha Community Center , 101 Emmons St , Hiawatha
  10:00 am

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

• Our drivers have been out today putting down brine, to help pre-treat the roads against ice as temperatures drop and the potential for more precipitation rolls in.
  The team will continue to maintain 24 hour coverage. If you see a snow-related issue that needs reporting, please let us know through My CR. Go to… (Nextdoor )
• Two weeks until Christmas...
  have you wrapped up your gift giving plans? How about a job application for that hard-to-shop-for young person in your house? Great starting pay,… (Nextdoor )

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Marion. Apply here.
• The Cleaning Authority, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper / House Cleaner in Cedar Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hiawatha

• AI Hits the Airwaves: Meet the Voice Rock 108 Fans Hear but Never See (cbs2iowa.com)
• Recent survey shows Bottle Bill changes are making recycling harder for Iowans (kcrg.com)
• NATE announces 2026 Board election results; Strong member turnout reflects industry crossroads (wirelessestimator.com)

Cedar Rapids

• 42nd Street in Cedar Rapids reopens (kcrg.com)
• Brucemore earns top 10 spot in USA TODAY's best holiday historic home tours (cbs2iowa.com)
• Boys' high school wrestling notes: New class, same approach for Alburnett (thegazette.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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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