Local News
Kalona

Kwik Star coming to Kalona

KALONA The Monday night meeting of the Kalona City Council was filled with positive news for the city as it comes off a highly successful Christmas in Kalona event. Among the interesting …

Kalona student attends Central Scholar Day

NASA and the moon landings connected curious minds at Central College as 150 prospective students attended a Scholar Day in November. These events welcomed admitted students to campus to learn about …

Kalona Rotary supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program

The Kalona Rotary Club presented the Kalona Public Library Foundation, Inc. with a check for $3,000 on Nov. 28. The funds were raised from the club’s omelet breakfast this spring ($2,700) and a …

Peanut Days are here again

“Shuck those peanuts out on our floor,” the 1975 advertisement entreated. Peanut days at Yotty’s Hardware have been on hiatus these last few years due to COVID, but this year they are back. …
Riverside

Riverside Casino & Golf Resort hosts Toys for Tots drive

Riverside Casino Golf Resort General Manager Damon John invites guests to bring toys, games, and books for children aged newborn to 15-years old to Riverside Casino & Golf Resort to brighten the …

McGuire 'grateful' for 5 years on Riverside City Council

RIVERSIDE Edgar McGuire, who has been a member of the Riverside City Council for five years, thanked Mayor Allen Schneider and the city’s residents in his closing comments during the …

Riverboat Foundation awards $299,300 grant to Kalona Historical Society for rail exhibit

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation announced fall grant recipients Wednesday night at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. Over $2,000,000 in grants were distributed, with the second highest …

Murphy’s Bar & Grill serves you, the community

RIVERSIDE As we enter the season of giving – the Christmas season – Murphy’s Bar & Grill in Riverside is preparing a conclusion to their year of giving back. …
Wellman

Wellman praises holiday celebration, bemoans library delays

WELLMAN A brisk regular meeting Monday night left the Wellman city council time to discuss the city’s recent successes and disappointments, which include Light the Night in the former category …

Wellman Lights the Night

Families turned out in Wellman Saturday night, Nov. 25, for Light the Night downtown. Hot Cocoa, Christmas tree decorating, and train rides provided lots to do while folks awaited Santa’s arrival …

Wellman’s water mains still a worry

WELLMAN Wellman’s water mains have outlived their life expectancy, a point brought home by a break downtown days before the city council met on Nov. 20. The topic once again occupied the council …

Wellman Garden Club explores mandala rock painting

The Wellman Garden Club met Nov. 16 at the Senior Center. President Powell opened the meeting by thanking attendees for coming. Marilyn read a beautiful Helen Steiner Rice Thanksgiving poem called …
Lone Tree

Lone Tree Enjoys Winter Fest

A festive spirit infused Lone Tree on Saturday, Nov. 25 as visitors and residents enjoyed a full day of downtown activities for Winter Fest. After shopping market vendors and eating delicious food, …

Discussion about supervisors' expense allocations heats up

IOWA CITY Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan says he has tried to talk about supervisor expense allocations for two or three years. So when it finally got on the agenda for a work …

Johnson County Sheriff negotiates higher wages for presence in Lone Tree

LONE TREE The Lone Tree City Council met on Monday, Nov. 6, for their regularly scheduled meeting. The council approved Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel’s proposal to raise the …

Mid-Prairie bond measure passes; Riverside councilperson loses seat to newcomer

KALONA Final results are in from Nov. 7’s school board and city council elections, although all results are unofficial until canvass. Locally, all but one incumbent kept their seats, and all …
Washington County
Third shift for ambulance services a step closer
WASHINGTON A possible third shift for the Washington County Ambulance Department moved a step closer when Washington County Supervisors Tuesday asked Interim Director Katrina Alternhofen to return …
WCPH team met challenges head-on in 2023
WASHINGTON In her recent annual report to the county supervisors, Emily Tokheim, Administrator for Washington County Public Health (WCPH), noting staff turnovers, position changes and new program …
Retiring employee gives long notice
WASHINGTON Officially, Sue Rich will retire as the county Veterans Affairs Officer and the General Assistance director in March 2025; however, she told the supervisors in a work session November …
Permanent third shift ambulance crew likely early in 2024
WASHINGTON In a report about operating a permanent third shift for the Washington County Ambulance Services, Katrina Altenhofen, department interim director, in a Nov. 28 work session with the …
Ambulance report outlines need for third shift
WASHINGTON Although they were not able to take any action, the Washington County Supervisors Tuesday considered adding a third shift to the Washington County Ambulance services. They plan to take …
Johnson County
The Johnson County Youth Council presented hundreds of awards to 4-H’ers on Nov. 19.
Johnson County 4-H program distributes 216 awards
On Nov. 19, Johnson County 4-H members and their families gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2022-2023 4-H program year. Members of the Johnson County 4-H Youth Council helped present …
The Great Bluegrass Herons and Friends Acoustic Christmas Program Dec. 10
The Great Bluegrass Herons and Friends Acoustic Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Sharon Center United Methodist Church. The Great Bluegrass Herons (pictured), from …
Johnson County Agricultural Association receives $125,000 WCRF grant
The Johnson County Agricultural Association received a grant award of $125,000 from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation on Nov. 29, which will be used to replace the main livestock show arena …