Marion, IA|News|
Marion Home of the Week: Home Theater With Stadium Seating and Heated Woodshop for $499,950
This week's featured home: 5215 Elderton Drive in Marion.

Local Editor, Cedar Falls
Patch Email: alison.gowans@patch.com
Facebook.com/CedarFallsPatch
Twitter.com/CedarFallsPatch
Phone: 319-850-3474
I'm a born and raised resident of this town.
After graduating from Cedar Falls High School, I studied journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa and spent some time as a reporting intern at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. After a brief stint in Minneapolis, I took off for the Peace Corps.
Two years as a community health education volunteer in Swaziland, a tiny country in Southern Africa, broadened my horizons and my perspective. But I missed home - the green summers, vibrant fall leaves and the promise of spring after a long winter. (Not so much the winter itself.)
I missed the people of this place, family and friends and neighbors. It was time to come home, and what better way to reintegrate into my community than through Patch? So here I am, wondering what the next few years will bring.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics
The current acerbic political climate disheartens me. At this point I'm less concerned with parties and labels than with intent and ideas. If someone can convince me they have the country's best interests at heart and of the merit of their policies, they'll probably have my vote. I'm a registered Independent.
Religion
I believe in God. I'm still working out the details of what that belief entails and probably will be for the rest of my life.
This week's featured home: 5215 Elderton Drive in Marion.

The patio season is here, and there are more than 3,000 places in Iowa that allow adult beverages outdoors. Search the map to plan your next happy hour, bike ride stop or night on the town.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indication a conviction.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
Authorities said the alleged abductor is believe to be heavily under the influence of methamphetamine.
Monica Vernon has been a Cedar Rapids City Council member since 2007. She changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2009.
Monica Vernon has been a Cedar Rapids City Council member since 2007. She changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2009.
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A driver told police he swerved to avoid a small group of ducklings crossing the highway.
When it comes to encouraging others, David Welter is an open book.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not represent a conviction.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not represent a conviction.
Can you guess where this week's mystery photo was taken?
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The water is receding, but will that last?