The News

Kalona

Washington Supervisors focus on finances

Everything from seeking a grant to update road signs to longevity and step increase for employees to increases in county funds were key issues for the Washington County Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. …

Kalona Public Library News

Reminder: you have through February 7 to turn in your Hygge Challenge for a chance to win a prize and Winter Bingo sheets for prize books! • Story time is held weekly on Wednesdays from …

Pet of the Week

This week’s PAWS & More pet of the week is Gretchen, an adult female Domestic Short Hair cat. Gretchen has a black and white coat with bright green eyes. She is described as a “secret …

Secretary of State encourages Iowans to become poll workers in 2022 elections

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging civic-minded Iowans to assist voters in the 2022 elections by becoming poll workers. Tuesday, January 25 is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Iowa …

Riverside

Supervisors hear good quarterly reports

The three regular quarterly reports presented to the Washington County Supervisors last week offered some good news in 2021, The county ambulance service, which completed its first year of …

Riverside fire victims IDed, investigation ongoing

The two victims who perished in the Jan. 8 fire in Riverside have been identified as Henry Downer, 79, and Noel Edmond Downer, 53. Both men were living at 1047 Vine Ave. at the time of the …

Kalona Merchants Collecting Food for Kalona Pantry

Members of the Kalona Chamber of Commerce will be accepting food from the general public for the Kalona Food Pantry during the month of February, according to Chamber director Tonia Poole. Items …

Highland teacher arrested on sexual abuse charge

Justin David Rapier, a Highland High School language arts and yearbook teacher, was arrested Thursday on a sexual abuse charge.

Wellman

M-P board hears of need for new fine arts facilities

Mid-Prairie vocal music teacher Collette McClellen gave an impassioned presentation to the school board on Monday, Jan. 24 about the district’s need for new fine arts facilities. A 600-seat …

Washington Supervisors hear funding requests for area agencies

With 2021 a record year for the Washington County Fair and its 4-H affiliate, the association wants to maintain its momentum in 2022 especially with a $120,000 entertainment budget. Even more, the …

Beatty-Peterseim installs crematorium at Washington location

To help meet the increasing demand for cremation and add value to the community and families they serve, Beatty-Peterseim Funeral, Cremation Care and Monument Services of Kalona, Washington and …

Washington County YMCA offers senior fitness classes

For seniors who live in the Washington County area, the YMCA offers a variety of activities and equipment to maintain your health. From water aerobics to cardio training, the YMCA provides a …

Lone Tree

Thanks to blood donors and local historian Mike Zahs

There was a tremendous turnout of blood donors at the Kalona Optimist Club annual winter Blood Drive at the Kalona Mennonite Church. Donor Day Chair Donna Merck for the Kalona Optimists reports …

Lone Tree, Stringtown identified as places for growth in Johnson County

Lone Tree and Stringtown were among areas identified as growth opportunities in Johnson County, according to an economic development plan of villages and small towns that was presented to the Johnson …

Hospice of Washington County excited for new home

It’s a night-and-day difference, the difference between old home of Hospice of Washington County and their new facility. The old facility, which was previously the county DOT building, …

Pet of the Week

This week’s PAWS & More pet of the week is Josie, a young female Pit Bull Terrier mix. Josie is described as a goofball who is fun-loving and happy all the time. For more information on …

Washington County

“A simple book can change their lives”

Miss Iowa, Grace Lynn Keller, visited Mid-Prairie schools on Thursday, Jan. 20 to promote her social impact project, which focuses on literacy in grades kindergarten through third grade. Keller …

Receipts for Kash

Kalona Chamber of Commerce is giving away Kalona Kash for shopping Kalona in stores of Kalona Chamber members. Those stores will have posters designating their participation in this …

Passing the baton

Tina Hershberger first bought Kalona Realty from Erma Ropp in 1992, and now has sold the business to her daughter-in-law, Hayley Hershberger, who has worked there since 2014. “It was …

Riverside council prepares for Third Street water main project

The Riverside City Council has listened to design plans for its Third Street water main and construction project for several months. The council took to the streets in a walking tour in late …

Riverside plans history booklet to commemorate sesquicentennial

The City of Riverside turns 150 years old in 2022, and to commemorate this milestone, the Riverside Sesquicentennial Committee and the Riverside History Center-Voyage Home Museum volunteers are …

Johnson County

Johnson County Supervisors to vote on new “Nomi Health” Covid testing facility

As the number of Covid cases has risen to record levels in Johnson County, another testing facility may be approved this week by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Nomi Health, which …

“This thing is serious and it’s not getting better right now”: Johnson County supervisors talk COVID amid surge

The rapid rise in Covid cases last week caused Johnson County Public Health officials to halt contact tracing and instead focus on testing and educating county residents during the surge brought on …

Washington shooting investigation continues

Investigation continues into a reported shooting that occurred at 8:10 p.m. January 7 when Washington County Communications dispatch received a 911 call from a male saying he had been …