Marion, IA|News|
Editor's Picks: Marion Teen Youngest of 5,556 Delegates at Democratic National Convention: Best of 2012
Patch caught up with 17-year-old Sam Gray at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

This New Hampshirite migrated west to Olympia, Washington, south to Florida and wound up in the middle in Iowa. I studied journalism and political science at University of Iowa, and have worked professionally as a journalist covering higher education, city government and business. Investigative projects, covering RAGBRAI as an embedded reporter and paddling down the Iowa River for three days to report on its condition are some of my favorite assignments. I have many different interests: spending time with my family, hiking, biking, paddling, cooking, craft beers, writing, college and pro sports. I used to work as a professional chef, I've traveled to 49 of the 50 states, teach a backpacking course at the University of Iowa, and volunteer on the Board of Directors for the Bicyclists of Iowa City.
Patch caught up with 17-year-old Sam Gray at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

Peter Gray was a University of Iowa athletics department official who worked in student advising before resigning. An investigation found he had violated the school's sexual harassment policy.
Edward Cusic, 44, is accused of killing his mother Anita Lobken, 68, on Friday night. They shared a residence in northeast Cedar Rapids, just down the road from Marion.
The Geminids are set to peek on Dec. 13 or Dec. 14.
A Cedar Rapids man is in custody on a $1 million bond after police say he killed his mother at a residence a few minutes from Marion. Police say he told dispatchers that he used a crowbar after she pulled a gun.
The Free Little Library is Marion went missing from Thomas Park sometime between late November to early December. Authorities and library officials found it over the weekend.
Arrests do not indicate convictions.
Police say Chase Goers was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 380 and collided with another car. Kelley McLaren died in the accident.
Updates include a multi-use path, infrastructure updates, streetscaping and reconstruction of Sixth Avenue between Eighth Street to 13th Street.
Authorities consider the death of a man found under a bridge just south of Marion to be suspicious. The man has been identified as James Willard Ralls.
Hanukkah, often known as the Jewish Festival of the Lights, lasts for eight days and will begin at sundown.
Cedar Rapids Police report the discovery of a dead female late Friday. Edward Cusic has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anita Jean Labkon, 68.
Also, pictures of Marion's Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk and a grim break in case of missing Evansdale girls.
We've put together a list of our top 10, now we want to know what puts you in the spirit.
Arrests do not indicate convictions.
Count down the seconds to Santa's arrival in Marion.
An Iowa State University official says the school won't allow Cyclone logos on T-shirts of a pro-pot student group, but the slip up is not cause to overreact.
Marion City Council met on Thursday and discussed a no parking zone on 29th Street.
Businesses and charities in Marion, Cedar Rapids and throughout Linn County united to surprise a lucky family with a car through a new Miles for Smiles program.
Cedar Rapids officers Mitchell Magill and Adrienne Phelps were involved in a shooting that fatally wounded Desirae Daniel, 27, a Cedar Rapids woman with Marion ties.