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

Ten Kalona residents expressed their frustration about the flooded basements and sewer back-ups caused by the rains on September 19 and 20 to the Kalona City Council on Monday night. The council recognize that Governor Kim Reynolds has declared Washington County and Kalona disaster areas, with residents being victims of the flooded basements and sewer backups, eligible for limited state assistance.. more

Kalona Mayor Mark Robe has a passion for photography, and some of his best work was recently displayed at the Iowa City Gallery Walk. The five photos Robe featured were taken in SouthTown, at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City and at the Washington County Emergency Communication Center... more

Iowa’s wildlife faces environmental threats including habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and degradation, according to Meredith Roemerman, deputy director of Burr Oak Land Trust. Roemerman spoke at the September 30 Kalona Rotary meeting, sharing information about the organization, its conservation efforts and the environmental challenges facing the state... more

A trial date has been set for a Kalona resident charged with sexual abuse on July 8. The trial is scheduled for January 5 in Johnson County.Delwyn Borntrager, 22, of Kalona, was arrested on July 8 after a warrant was issued for his arrest... more

Heavy rains last week caused flooding throughout the area, impacting communities including Kalona, Riverside, Wellman, Lone Tree, Washington and surrounding areas. Kalona and many of its residents experienced flooding, with most of it caused by rainwater. According to Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, about 26 residents reported flooding in their homes. Although most Kalona residents who experienced flooding dealt with rainwater, some reported sewage issues. One resident reported having about 18 inches of water in their basement... more

On an overcast Thursday morning, I sat down with Kalona Blacksmith & Welding owner Bob Yoder at his shop. Between answering calls about his upcoming open house, he pulled up a chair and talked about his career as a welder, why he is considering selling the shop and its tools, and his work as a Washington County supervisor. All around us were the tools he has collected over the years. If you offered the right price, Yoder might sell you one... more

Last Friday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Sinclair Tractor in Kalona for a campaign stop with farmers and employees. Naig discussed conservation, animal health and water quality, along with the upcoming November election. During his remarks, he said manufacturing, agriculture and financial services are three major parts of Iowa’s economy.. more

Road construction has closed a stretch of Kiwi Avenue near Kalona until further notice. Kiwi Avenue southwest of Kalona, just west of Highway 1, closed on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for repairs to a culvert in the road... more

Explore Kalona’s railroad history inside the new boxcar exhibit at Kalona Historical Village, with stories of food, commerce, travel and rail life. more

Fried mush has deep roots in Iowa, from early settlers and the Great Depression to today's Kalona restaurants and Fall Festival traditions. more

Imagine heading to the polls this September and finding that there are two candidates for Leader of the Beasts: Terry Turtle and Benny Beaver. Mr. Beaver is all about progress: he wants to level the … more

There are some people and places that you have a hard time separating; you just can’t imagine one without the other. The person has shaped the place, and the place has influenced the … more

Members of two H Avenue households had the Kalona City Council’s ear Monday night as they voiced concern and anger over sewage overflows into their basements following heavy rain overnight Saturday … more

Over the weekend, heavy rain caused flooding in many areas, including Kalona, Wellman, Washington and Lone Tree. According to reports, Kalona and surrounding communities such as Wellman, Riverside and Washington received about 2 to 5 inches of rain. Other parts of the county were affected as well. The National Weather Service reported approximately 4.91 inches of rain in Ainsworth... more

You have probably heard of trapshooting, a sport offered in many communities across Iowa. One of the area teams is the Golden Hawks Shooting Club. The club began in 2021 and has competed for about five years. Coach Clint Whetstine recently explained more about the team and how the sport works. Although the participants attend Mid-Prairie and compete under the Golden Hawks name, the club is not officially associated with or sponsored by the school district. Instead, it operates as an independent team... more

The Kalona Fall Festival returns this week, and one of its scheduled events is a presentation about conscientious objectors. Dr. Tom Meyers and Dr. Nyle Kauffmann will lead the presentation, which will focus on conscientious-objector status and the experiences of Amish and Mennonite men during wartime... more