The past 10 years have been eventful in Marion County and throughout the country.

The most memorable event for most was Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists carried out planned attacks on American soil by causing commercial jets to crash into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and a field in Pennsylvania.

The national and local economies suffered, with area and local businesses laying off employees and gas prices fluctuating along with the stock market.

On the local front, area residents considered a casino, liquor by the drink, and a landfill. Liquor by the drink was the only issue that passed.

St. Luke Hospital, Marion, discontinued the delivering of babies in 2004. Hillsboro Community Medical Center also discontinued deliveries in 2005.

Hoch Publishing Company, owner and publisher of the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, lost its leader. Former editor and publisher Bill Meyer died Nov. 14, 2006, at the age of 81.

Most communities did see some growth of businesses. Marion’s industrial park went from an open field to the home of three new businesses.

The city’s business park, with some established businesses, also saw growth with the addition of three new businesses

Burns and Florence lost their schools during this past decade. Burns schools were closed and students are now bused to Peabody. Florence schools were condemned. One building razed this past year.

County department heads were replaced on what seemed like a monthly basis. Marion County Commission was not pleased with the performance of some. Others decided to leave. Among the contingent were two road and bridge superintendents, two emergency medical services directors, two sanitarian/planning and zoning administrators, and a noxious weed director.

Highlights of the past 10 years in chronological order.

2000

Many prepared for the worst Jan. 1, when many believed the world would come to a screeching halt when computers and other electronic devices, unprepared for the new millennium, would roll over to the year 2000. As it was, life went on like any other day.

The City of Marion received more than $600,000 from Kansas Department of Transportation for renovation of the former Santa Fe Depot to create the city library.

The former Elgin Hotel of Marion, then home to many as an apartment building, was sold in a public auction. Historic restoration expert Jim Strawn of Hutchinson purchased the building and renovated it, continuing to use it as an apartment complex.

Marion dedicated an industrial park in the north part of town near U.S. 56.

Hoch Publishing Company, owner of Marion County Record, purchased the Hillsboro Star-Journal. In 2002, it purchased the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin.

Tragedy struck rural Durham when the Richard Thayer family lost six members in a house fire. The father and five children survived.

Martin Marietta Quarry, northeast of Marion, was annexed into the city. A lawsuit was filed by property owners in the area. The proposed purpose was a solid waste landfill.

A new track was installed at USD 408 Warrior Stadium.

2001

Waste connections offered a deal to the City of Marion but withdrew the offer a month later.

Catholics and others honored Father Emil Kapaun with a bronze statue erected and dedicated at St. John Nepomucene Church — Holy Family Parish, Pilsen, where the Army chaplain was born and lived. Catholics continued to petition the Vatican to name Kapaun a saint.

The historic springs in Marion’s Central Park were restored through the benevolence of Paul Brooker.

Pilsen State Bank in Lincolnville was robbed in October.

A flag mural on the west wall of Stone City Café building, downtown Marion, was dedicated in remembrance of 9/11.

Kansas attorney general and Marion native Carla Stovall announced her bid for governor. She later ended her campaign and entered private life after marriage.

2002

Marion residents voted against a landfill in an advisory referendum.

Pilsen State Bank in Lincolnville was robbed for a second time in six months.

Marion County Commission decided to purchase KC Development transfer station, Marion, for $825,000. County property owners were required to pay a solid waste fee to meet bond payments dispose of trash.

Marion City Library opened in July in the newly renovated Santa Fe Depot.

Talk of the need for a new jail began when the jail was bursting at the seams with record numbers of inmates.

2003

Two county residents, Brandon Klenda, 17, of Lincolnville and Jack Davis, 20, of Ramona, were arrested for robbing the Roxbury Bank.

Blue-green algae was detected at Marion Reservoir. Hillsboro halted pumping water from the reservoir. Marion also decided to stop pumping — closing the city’s pool and car washes, and rationing water. Water was drawn from Luta Creek. The cities resumed pumping a few weeks later after they updated their plants to treat potentially contaminated water.

Two teens died at the dangerous U.S.-50/77 intersection near Florence. During the two years before the teens’ deaths, 17 accidents and four fatalities occurred at the intersection. Kansas Department of Transportation installed a four-way stop afterward.

2004

Florence Police Chief Merlin Stout was arrested on charges of sexual battery. He resigned four months later. Charges eventually were dismissed and he was exonerated.

A spring and summer of deadly accidents occured on U.S. 50 between Marion and Newton while the highway was being resurfaced. Nine people died in crashes, causing Kansas Department of Transportation to redesign work zones and change how traffic was diverted.

Blue-green algae returned in the summer to Marion Reservoir, causing city treatment plants to add more carbon to water. Swimming beaches were temporarily closed.

The county considered a commercial jail project. Talks would lead to a committee being appointed in 2009.

Marion Assisted Living on Eisenhower Drive, Marion, opened in September.

Kansas Department of Transportation released plans for a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 50/56-77 near Florence. The roundabout was completed in 2006.

Kingfisher’s Inn served its last meal in October under the ownership of Bob and Kathy Sprowls. The economy, the price of gas, and accidents on U.S. 50 were reasons cited.

St. Luke Hospital, Marion, became independent when Banner Health Systems failed to renew a contract.

Dwight and Helen Beckham spearheaded a campaign to erect a statue at Marion County Park and Lake to honor the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built the lake in the 1930s.

Countywide liquor by the drink was approved on the November ballot.

2005

Many Marion County residents began the new year in the dark when an ice storm slammed the county, causing power outages and damage.

A three-year pilot program for the hiring of a county economic development coordinator was approved by the county commission.

Marion Advancement Campaign asked for community support of a new movie theater and community center. The project never got off the ground, but the foundation contributed to other community efforts.

Rhinos invaded Marion in April as dozens of 230-pound concrete rhinoceroses were sold to local businesses and individuals. Many had the statuary painted and decorated.

A new swimming pool was constructed in Hillsboro. The aquatic park included slides and splash features.

USD 408 discussed new school facilities at the October board meeting. Facilities could include an indoor swimming pool, school auditorium, and gymnasium.

In a mail ballot, 52 percent of Marion County voters rejected a $300 million casino project in the county.

Investors supported the reopening of Kingfisher’s Inn in November.

A tornado hit the northeast part of the county in November, causing damage to outbuildings.

The City of Marion hired an economic development director in December. It had been two years since the city had anyone in that position.

St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shoppe opened in December in downtown Marion. Proceeds from the second-hand store support the hospital.

Marion City Commission approved a charter ordinance to expand from three members to five.

2006

Thirteen candidates filed for four positions on the newly formed Marion City Council. Stacey Collett, Gene Winkler, Bill Holdeman, and Jerry Kline were elected.

A USD 408 school bond was also approved for new buildings and an indoor swimming pool.

Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub was fired from his job at Deer Trail Implement of Marion because he supported zoning changes. He decided to stay in his elected position instead of his job.

Kingfisher Steakhouse and Lounge at Marion County Lake closes.

2007

Mary Olson defeated Marion Mayor Martin Tice in an April election.

Construction of the USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center begsn.

Prairie View mental health services moved to Hillsboro after being in Marion for 40 years. The Marion building was renovated for a new physician.

Three dogs died after drinking water from Marion Reservoir., possibly from blue-green algae.

The Elgin was sold to Jim Cloutier and renovation began.

Discussions regarding a county hospital ended when Hillsboro Community Medical Center did not want to participate in any discussions or plans.

Marion County Special Education Cooperative considered the construction of a new facility but superintendents from the five Marion County school districts said they would not support it.

2008

A Lincolnville teen died and three others were injured in a two-car crash in Morris County.

Renovation of the former historic Elgin was completed. Included were eight bed-and-breakfast rooms, a ground floor ballroom for receptions and parties, and a third-floor penthouse serving as the owner’s home.

The City of Hillsboro sold Hillsboro Community Medical Center to HMC/CAH Consolidated Inc. of Kansas City, Mo. The company planned to build a new hospital but lack of funding put plans on hold.

Golden Living Center of Marion closed. Displaced residents were moved to area nursing homes. Employees sought jobs, many moving from the area. The City of Marion purchased the building, which had been used as a nursing home since 1967. Later in the year, Marion County Special Education Cooperative purchased the site and moved classes and offices from Florence and Peabody.

2009

Marion County Commission promoted a countywide recycling program. Hillsboro celebrated its 125th birthday.

Rain had not fallen in Marion County for several months beginning in May, so Marion County implemented a burn ban that lasted for more than two months.

Zebra mussels were discovered at Marion Reservoir. The parasites were transported from other lakes and threaten to cause water flow issues by covering drain pipes.

Peabody-Burns USD 398 shortened its school days to save money.

Marion and Hillsboro city councils were accused of violating secrecy laws when the councils decided to join a national lawsuit against the makers of atrazine.

Marion County Fair Board decided to include country music concerts with the county fair. Proceeds benefited Marion County Fire Chief’s Association.

H1N1, also known as swine flu, was detected in Kansas and eventually cases were confirmed in Marion County. Vaccines were made available to high-risk groups ad later to the general population.

Becky Carlson, former Hillsboro High School volleyball coach, was inducted in National High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

Wright’s Chrysler dealership in Hillsboro received word that Chrysler was discontinuing the franchise.

Peabody-Burns High School athlete Lauren Pickens earned three gold medals at the state track meet.

Baker Furniture was closed in Peabody after 112 years.

Florence was a host community of Symphony in the Flint Hills.

Oil pipeline construction by TransCanada moved forward through parts of Marion County.

An Amtrak passenger fell from the train and died near Florence.

Two teens died and two were injured in a two-vehicle crash in rural Marion County.

A new stadium at Tabor College was constructed as a joint project between USD 410 and the college.

A Lehigh teen was thought to be abducted by a stalker. The teen and a suspect were located in Brown County

A group of citizens succeeded in raising money for a youth center in Marion. Central Bank donated a building for the center.

After more than 140 years in Marion, Scully Estates decided to relocate to Hillsboro.