This Week's Top Stories

education

OSU Marion Opens Downtown Engagement Hub on North Main Street

Ohio State University at Marion has cut the ribbon on a new community space at 146 N. Main Street, giving faculty, students, and residents a shared downtown home for collaboration.

The Ohio State University at Marion opened its Downtown Engagement Hub on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held from 4 to 6 p.m. at 146 N. Main Street — a building that has, over the years, been a restaurant, a pawn shop, and various other businesses.

education

Marion City Schools Holds 3-Star State Report Card Rating for Second Year Running

The district's 2025–26 Ohio State Report Card shows continued momentum in graduation rates and career readiness, with Harding High School and Garfield Elementary leading gains.

Marion City Schools sustained its overall 3-Star rating on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's 2025–26 State Report Card for the second consecutive year, with notable gains in two specific categories. Both Graduation Rate and College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness climbed from 2 Stars to 3 Stars, according to reporting by Marion County Now. Harding High School and Garfield Elementary led the district's strongest improvements. The results build on momentum the district highlighted at the start of the school year.

crime

Judge Disqualifies Prosecutor from Marion Police Officer's Rape Case

Marion County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Frericks has ruled that Prosecutor Ray Grogan cannot prosecute the case against officer Brendon Damron, citing conflict-of-interest concerns.

Marion County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Frericks issued a decision this week disqualifying Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan from prosecuting the criminal case involving Marion Police Officer Brendon Damron, according to Marion County Now. The ruling is the latest development in a high-profile case that has wound through multiple conflict-of-interest challenges since Damron's arrest in February. Damron, 24, is facing two counts of rape and one count of abduction stemming from an alleged off-duty incident reported to have occurred at a private residence on February 11.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing through November (Wed–Sun)

Harding Presidential Sites — Press House Exhibition Open

📍 Harding Presidential Sites, 380 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion · 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Wed–Sat); 12:00–5:00 PM (Sun) · Verify · Harding Presidential Sites

Saturday, September 26

Walk to End Alzheimer's — Marion, OH

📍 The Marion Campus, 1465 Mount Vernon Ave., Marion · Various times · Verify · Alzheimer's Association

Tuesday, September 29

OSU Marion Engineering Open House

📍 Library Classroom Building, Ohio State University at Marion campus · 5:30 PM · Verify · Ohio State University at Marion

Coming soon (date TBA)

5th 2026 Love Your Neighborhood Clean-Up

📍 Marion (neighborhood TBA — check marionohio.us) · 9:00 AM–2:30 PM · Verify · City of Marion, OH

Saturday, October 3

Marion Public Library Annual Book Sale

📍 Marion Public Library, 445 E. Church St., Marion · Various times · Verify · Marion Public Library

Community Directory

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