Honestly, if you stepped outside in Marion this morning, you already know the biggest story. It is cold. Like, "don't leave your car running unattended or it might just give up" cold. But beyond the shivering and the frost on the windshields, there is a lot moving in our corner of Ohio today, January 17, 2026.
From local high schoolers showing off their pipes to some pretty big changes coming to how we do business in town, Marion isn't exactly sitting still.
The Deep Freeze and the "Buckeye Chuck" Countdown
First off, let's talk about the weather. We’re looking at a high of maybe 19°F today. The lows are dipping down to 10°F. If you've lived here long enough, you know this is just "January in Ohio," but the National Weather Service is actually flagging some serious snow squall risks for the region. These aren't your typical light flurries; they're the kind of sudden whiteouts that make driving on Route 23 feel like a game of chance.
While we're freezing, people are already looking toward February 2nd. That’s when Buckeye Chuck—our own local legend—is set to emerge at the Marion County Fairgrounds. This will be his 47th annual forecast. It’s kinda wild that we’ve been relying on a groundhog for nearly half a century, but it’s a tradition that helps us get through these sub-zero wind chills. This year, they’re also pairing the event with a community food drive, so keep that on your radar.
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Big Moves for Small Business: The New Commercial Building Department
There’s some breaking news in marion ohio today regarding how the city is going to grow. Basically, the City of Marion is launching its own local Commercial Building Department starting February 1.
Why does this matter to you?
Well, if you’re a local business owner or looking to start something up, you won’t have to deal with the state for every little permit anymore. It’s all staying local. There is a big informational public meeting happening this Tuesday, January 20, at City Hall. If you have questions about what this means for downtown development or new construction, that’s where you need to be.
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Music, Pomp, and "America 250"
If you were near Marion Harding High School this morning around 8:00 a.m., you probably saw a ton of kids carrying instrument cases. Today is the High School Solo and Ensemble Contest. It’s a huge deal for the students and the music department. These kids have been practicing for months to get judged on their performances, and honestly, the talent coming out of Harding right now is impressive.
Speaking of talent and history, the "America 250 Marion" initiative just officially kicked off. It’s part of the massive nationwide 250th-anniversary celebration of the U.S. Marion is doing a year-long program called “Trails, Tales, and Treasures.” They actually launched a mobile app today specifically for this. It’s basically a scavenger hunt mixed with a history lesson that covers Marion’s role in American history over the last two and a half centuries.
Safety and Crime Watch
On the grittier side of things, law enforcement has been active around the county lines. We’ve seen a recent spike in standoff situations in the surrounding area, including a 15-hour armed standoff involving Morrow and Delaware County deputies that just wrapped up with an 18-year-old in custody.
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In Marion specifically, the police are still warning folks about the “Crime Radar” app. It uses AI to pull from police scanners, but the problem is it's often wrong. If you see a notification that looks crazy, check a real news source before you start panicking. The MARMET Drug Task Force is also fresh off a massive bust where they pulled 1.6 kilograms of meth and crack off the streets, which is a significant dent in the local supply.
What to Do Next
If you're looking for ways to stay involved or just stay warm, here are a few things you can actually do right now:
- Download the "America 250 Marion" App: If you have kids, this is a great way to kill a few hours while learning about the community’s history.
- Check Your Pipes: With lows hitting 10°F tonight, make sure your outdoor faucets are covered and maybe leave a slow drip in the kitchen sink if your plumbing is old.
- Mark Tuesday on Your Calendar: If you care about how the city is spending money or managing buildings, go to that City Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. regarding the new Building Department.
- Support the Food Drive: Start setting aside some canned goods for the Buckeye Chuck event on February 2nd at the fairgrounds.
Marion is a small city, but it’s got a lot of moving parts. Stay warm, drive safe on those squally roads, and keep an eye on the local headlines.