Kalona After months of construction, the new bridge on 110th Street, northwest of Kalona, is complete, and both the road and bridge are open to traffic... more

Kalona For 69 years now, the Pleasantview Benefit Sale has taken place. For the most part, you can expect many of the same things, such as unique items up for auction and great food. However, in 2026, something quite unique happened. Prior to the Benefit Sale, Pleasantview Marketing Director Jessica Janecek presented the staff with an unexpected incentive. If they raised over $1,000, CEO Paul Wesser would kiss a pig. Yes, that’s right, an actual pig... more

Certain races in Washington County will be taking place such as District 3 (Riverside, Ainsworth, Crawfordsville, Brighton and Coppock), District 5 (Ward 2 and 3 in Washington), and the state representative for District 92 (Washington and parts of Johnson County)... more

Kalona Republican candidate for governor Zach Lahn spoke to a packed house at Dutch Country Table in Kalona on Wednesday during a Washington County campaign rally. Joining Lahn were Attorney General Brenna Bird, District 92 State Rep. Heather Hora, former gubernatorial candidate and State Rep. Brad Sherman, and Washington County Board of Supervisors Chair Jack Seward. Bird opened the rally by introducing herself and discussing her support for law enforcement, voter identification requirements and Second Amendment rights. She also discussed her lawsuit against OpenAI, which she described as an effort to protect children from suicide... more

Keota - Family does not always mean being related by blood. Sometimes, it means friends and neighbors coming together to help someone in their time of need. That is exactly what happened for the Conway family, whose farm is near Keota, just outside Wellman. John Conway, a Washington County farmer, suffered a serious fall on his 80th birthday, Thursday, October 8. According to his wife, Cathy, he was on a ladder repairing a leak in his corn dryer, something he does each year around this time, when he slipped and fell an estimated 16 feet... more

Wellman - The Mid-Prairie school board heard from Ben Curtis of Eocene Environmental Group about a recent survey of district employees. Curtis told the board the results “were very encouraging,” with 206 of about 250 employees responding, a participation rate of about 82%. The survey ran from August 23 to October 3. Employees gave an average score of 8.35 out of 10 when asked whether they would recommend the district as a place to work, with about 56% rating it a 9 or 10. Employees were also asked about their motivation and its primary source. About 88% reported being highly motivated or motivated most of the time, with meaningful work being the leading source... more

WELLMAN - In addition to candidates for various local, state, and national offices, voters in the Mid-Prairie School District will see a question on their ballot next week that will allow the district to fund continued facility improvements. School facilities are integrally tied to a community’s economic vitality, say members of the district’s Facility Advisory Committee who are also district residents, parents, and business owners. more

Wellman - With the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Cedar Rapids opening in less than a month, the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) is bracing for changes. For the past 20 years, the foundation has allocated 25% of its yearly revenue to municipal grants for cities throughout Washington County. With another casino opening about an hour away, the foundation expects its revenue to decline. more

Kalona - On November 2, Kalona Mennonite Church will host the event A Bowl of Soup and a John Deere Tractor, featuring author Larry D. Miller and his book, Larry’s Ride, From Farm to Finance: A Country Boy’s Journey. Miller’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a book signing. more

Riverside With the election coming up soon, many voters will head to the polls on Nov. 3. Two seats on the Washington County Board of Supervisors are up for election: District 3 and District 5. District 3 covers Riverside, Ainsworth, Brighton, Crawfordsville and part of Coppock. The race includes incumbent Republican Marcus Fedler and Democratic challenger JoAnn Whitmore... more

Kalona - Washington County YMCA executive director Amy Schulte gave a report on the summer activities to the Kalona council on Monday evening, Oct. 19. Schulte said the YMCA was pleased by the participation in the summer programs and attendance in Kalona. She noted the season pass holders at the Kalona pool were up from 213 in 2019 to 491 in 2026. And the season pass visits went from 2,061 to 4,057 this past summer... more

IOWA CITY When early voting for this fall’s mid-term elections began Oct. 14, more than 1,600 showed up in one day to vote at Johnson County’s campus in Iowa City. “We were very … more

Quality Plus Feeds has opened a new retail location in Kalona, where Levi and Jena Duwa carry on a family legacy while serving local livestock and pet owners. more

The Kalona Historical Village offered visitors a glimpse into the lives of World War II soldiers during a presentation Saturday. Mid-Prairie senior Caedyn Huston, son of Washington County Military Museum founder Mike Huston, spoke to the crowd while dressed in a World War II uniform and displaying weapons and equipment from the era. Caedyn and his father share a deep passion for history, particularly the wars in which the United States has fought. During this year’s Fall Festival, Mike gave a Civil War presentation. He also spoke about soldiers’ lives in the 1860s during the Civil War Meal in August... more

Kalona Donna Merck was named the 2026 Kalona Optimist of the Year during the club's annual installation banquet last Thursday. The club also recognized Optimists of Kalona President Jon Eggert for his outstanding efforts and contributions to the organization. The banquet took place at the club's usual gathering spot, Miller Homestead Cooking in Kalona, where members heard from Iowa Optimists District Governor Joleen Jorgensen. Joining Jorgensen were Lt. Governor Marge Hopkins and District Secretary-Treasurer Gerri Barnett... more

Wellman In just a few weeks, voters will flock to the polls. Those who live within the Mid-Prairie Community School District, including Kalona, Wellman, West Chester and portions of Washington, Iowa and Johnson counties, will have a chance to vote on the district’s proposed $19 million bond. The district has been preparing for the bond for quite some time, beginning the planning process in 2023. The proposed project includes a new events entrance, additional classrooms for fine arts and special education, a 500-seat auditorium and more. more

Washington During the Washington County Board of Supervisors session on Tuesday, October 13, the board accepted a bid for $273,872.45 for the culvert replacement on Kiwi Avenue, below the estimated cost of $330,000. The board also approved a public highway easement for Kiwi Avenue in Cedar Township and tabled action on the second easement for Kiwi Avenue at the county engineer`s request... more

Wellman In September, the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic took place at the Kalona Golf Course, Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside, Pleasant Valley Golf Course and Elks Ridge Golf Course in Iowa City. During Hawk Highlights, the Mid-Prairie school board heard from head girls golf coach Tracy McArtor, who helped with the clinic and shared stories about his experience... more

 When it comes to fire safety, you can never be too cautious. A fire can start quickly and become dangerous, so it is important to take steps to prevent one and have a plan in place if one occurs. Kalona assistant fire chief Aaron Gingerich, who has been with the department for 18 years, explained how people can prepare themselves and their loved ones for a fire. He said even a small oversight can put people at risk... more

Kalona Flooding across Kalona and much of Washington County a few weeks ago left residents facing extensive damage, lost belongings and weeks of cleanup. For several Kalona residents, sewage backed up into their basements, prompting concerns about drainage and calls for answers from the city. Sandy Marner, who has lived in her home for more than 30 years, said approximately 18 inches of sewage flooded her basement in the early hours of September 20. Marner was sleeping when she heard an unusual noise. She went downstairs and found brown, murky water filling the basement. When she reached the bathroom, she discovered sewage coming up through the toilet... more