10 YEARS AGO

august 20, 2008

Ryan Newell of Marion received a hero’s homecoming Sunday afternoon at Marion VFW. Newell was injured in January in Afghanistan when the Humvee in which he was riding was destroyed by a homemade bomb. As a result of the explosion, both of Newell’s legs were amputated. Newell will return to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, District of Columbia, the first part of September for continued rehabilitation.

Entrepreneur Jim Cloutier is making progress with renovation of the former Elgin Hotel. The exterior has a new look this week with red, green, and gold trim. The trim is a small preview of what customers will see when the interior of the historic building is completed.

Anniversary celebrations announced in this week’s issue include the 40th of Jim and Gail Assink of Marion and the 60th of Edward and Margaret Hein of Hillsboro.

With a new year come new teachers and the Marion district has five for the 2008-09 school year. Teachers and subjects they will teach are: Paula Ash, 8th and 9th grade English; David Clark, vocal music, grades 5-12; Ann Leppke, 7th grade science, computer, yearbook, and part-time aquatic director; Jeff McMillin, 5th grade government, geography, world history, and physics; and Rebecca Pederson, 4th grade, assistant coach of cross country and MMS girls basketball teams.