News

Cherokee senior Kassidy Pingel recently signed a letter of intend and announced her plans to attend Upper Iowa and play basketball for the Peacocks. Pingel, a four-year starter for the Braves, is one of the team’s leaders going into this season ranked fourth in pre-season polls. (Photo Contributed)...

The Blooming House recently vised Mrs. Laursen's First Grade Classroom at
Roosevelt Elementary School.  They read stories and did crafts about fall
leaves, Thanksgiving, and being thankful.  This is part of the Partnership
in Excellence program...

For the 23rd consecutive year, Cherokee Regional Medical Center Hospice will have lighted Christmas trees in Cherokee, Marcus, Aurelia and Holstein during the holiday season. These trees are a special way of remembering your friends and loved ones. You may help light the trees through a tax-deductible donation of any size. ...

The beauty and wonder of a full harvest moon shines over the recently completed 4-laned U.S. Highway 20 near Holstein this week. The road will be filled with Thanksgiving holiday travelers all week. Happy Thanksgiving to one an all! Photo by Anne Andresen...

A busy and happy group of kids and adults shared in decorating the many colorful Christmas Trees on display beginning Friday at the Cherokee Sanford Museum’s Festival of Trees. Photo contributed

The annual Lip Sync hosted by the Washington High School Speech Club collected $3,000 in donation for local food pantries and the Drug Endangered Children Fund at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office. Another packed house filled the Cherokee Auditorium at the high school for a fun filled night of entertaining acts by students, faculty and parents...

At last week’s City Council meeting, it was reported that former City Administrator Don Eikmeier had submitted a proposal for his recruitment services to assist the City fill the City Administrator position vacancy. Eikmeier, who retired from the position in 2015, submitted a proposal that includes conducting individual interviews with employees and others in the community to identify the City’s priorities regarding the position, as well as determining desired characteristics and strengths, preparing materials and advertising for potential candidates, review of applications, and being involved with the selection committee. ...

In the annual audit, Winthler, Stave & Co., LLP reported that the City’s receipts totaled $8,310,742 for the year ended June 30, 2018, a 42% decease from 2017. The receipts included $3,320,194 in property and other City taxes, $1,505,383 from grants and contributions, $2,967,300 charges for services, $35,007 in interest on investments, and $482,858 from other sources...

Ridge View High School’s varsity archery team returning letter winners this season are, Brant Price (front, kneeling). Second row, from left, Cassie Allen, Alexis Clark-Turnquist, Rayann Volkert, Brett Taylor, Lauren Johnson, Brayden Stowater and Jaden Droegmiller...

Rich and Peggy Hinkhouse, owners of the Brightside Lounge here, announced today they will be hosting a benefit on Saturday to raise money for the planned renovation of Cherokee’s high school baseball field. The ongoing project, dubbed “Kenny Bern Field Project” involves renovation of the current high school diamond and renaming the facility after longtime Cherokee supporter Kenny Bern...

Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Cherokee Chamber Buck sales, as many businesses and individuals purchase Chamber Bucks to give as gifts during the holidays. Thanks to Cherokee State Bank and North Star Community Credit Union, $10,000 in Chamber Bucks are going to be sold in the community at a 20% discount this week. This promotion will be One Day Only - Thursday, November 15, 2018. The discounted Chamber Bucks will ONLY be available while supply lasts at:...

The winners have been named of the Turkeyology Contest sponsored by the Chronicle Times, Fareway and Hy-Vee. The winners of four frozen turkeys are Lynette Hyndman, Deb Paulsen, Carol Leidahl and .Evelyn Sand. The correct answers are as follows: 1 Builders Sharpening & Service; 2. ...

Cherokee Public Library is excited to add backpacks from IPTV Education to their collection. The backpacks include IPTV children's programming DVDs, books, and an activity and can be checked out from the library.

Sanford Museum Director Linda Burkhart and Museum Educator Kerisa Pingel last week accepted a $25,000 pledge from the City’s hotel/motel tax grant for the upgrade of the Museum’s planetarium projection system. Celebrate the pledge are City officials and Museum Trustees, from left, Mayor Craig Schmidt, Council member Wayne Pingel, Trustees Jim Mohn and Pam Pierce, Burkhart, Pingel, Trustee Kent Lundquist, Museum Business Manager John Cook, Council members Chad Brown and Will Miller, City Administrator Sam Kooiker, and Council member Emily Johnson.. ...

Cherokee is gearing up for the holiday season with many events to take place and activities that you and your family can enjoy. Of course Black Friday is coming up on November 23rd. There will also be Small Business Saturday on the 24th. It is a great time to do your Christmas shopping while support Cherokee businesses. Customers are encouraged to register for Cherokee Chamber Bucks to be given away...

Major Andrew Lingenfelter, the son of Cherokee residents Burt and Kim Lingenfelter was recently promoted from Captain to Major by the United States Air Force in ceremonies held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Major Andrew J. Lingenfelter, was joined by a large family contingent to celebrate the significant military promotion in ceremonies held Oct. 5. Lingenfelter’s mother, Kim, is the Superintendent of Cherokee Schools...

Dog Beds Donated to Noah’s Hope Animal Rescue Cherokee— October 1, 2018 — For eight months, the Cherokee quilt batts have been saving their tiny fabric and batting scraps and filling old pillow cases. To date they have filled 63 pillow cases.They aren’t the most gorgeous things on the planet, but they serve their purpose well. They have been used to make dog beds for Noah’s Hope Animal Rescue in Sioux City, Iowa...

CORRECTIONVILLE - The River Valley Community School District Board has passed a resolution to place a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) on the ballot for Tuesday, December 11, 2018. A PPEL is a voter-approved levy that generates funds a district can use for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases and improvements. Funds may be used only for these purposes...

For four years it sat a lonely structure on the city’s south side. Not anymore. The former Cherokee Tyson Foods Plant here is quickly coming alive with activity thanks to its new resident and Plant owner, Iowa Food Group (IFG). Despite bitter cold temperatures, on Monday, officials of Cherokee’s newest business welcomed over 90 area residents and veterans to the plant for an opportunity to honor our veterans and witness a flag raising above the main offices. ...

Central Bank and Insurance is proud to pledge $50,000 to Cherokee Baseball’s Kenny Bern Field Project in Cherokee, pending approval of the $225,000 renovation project by the Cherokee Community Schools Board. The Kenny Bern Field Project’s goal is to bring a championship baseball facility to the community while also honoring the lifelong enthusiasm and support of “Coach” Kenny Bern, who has steadfastly supported Cherokee student-athletes for over 80 years...

Cherokee veterans, from left, Joe Draper, Mark Patterson and Bob Wittrock salute the flag during Monday’s Veteran’s Day Celebration at Washington High School.

It’s been said, “you can get too much of a good thing.” Perhaps that’s true with too much chocolate, too many cookies, or too many cocktails. But one thing our youth can never get too much of is an association with our local FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)...

Thadeus Booth Thad was nominated for this recognition by staff members.  Thad participates in cross country, theater production, concert choir, group speech, concert band, JETS, tennis, National Honor Society, and was the 2018 Homecoming King.  A quote from one of Thad's teachers, "Thad is very involved in school and in the community.  He was involved in the summer theater, he was an all-state choir member, and runs cross country.  He is detail oriented and strives to be an excellent student."  ...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension of Cherokee County and the MMCRU FFA Chapter invite area residents to join them for a holiday wreath making workshop on Nov. 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Church basement located within the Marcus Fairgrounds...

A large US flag flew over an open house at Iowa Food Group here Monday for flag raising ceremonies. Cherokee’s newest company greeted some 60 residents who braved the cold to help IFG officials raise the flag and unveil their new sign and logo. On hand to participate were IFG officials, and area military and citizen dignitaries, including the local VFW Color Guard...

It was a special day at Washington High School here Monday. It was a day to celebrate and honor our veterans. A day to show respect and give thanks to those in our military who fought and died to afford us our freedoms we too often take for granted...

Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Cherokee Chamber Buck sales, as many businesses and individuals purchase Chamber Bucks to give as gifts during the holidays. Thanks to Cherokee State Bank and North Star Community Credit Union, $10,000 in Chamber Bucks are going to be sold in the community at a 20% discount this week. This promotion will be One Day Only - Thursday, November 15, 2018. The discounted Chamber Bucks will ONLY be available while supply lasts at:...

Jeff and Lisa Naslund of Galva couldn’t help but notice the difference in their son, Dillion, after the Iowa National Guard Sergeant returned home from his second combat infantry tour in Afghanistan in 2011. The reliable, happy-go-lucky youth from rural Galva had turned into a quiet, brooding man who drank too much and sometimes missed work at his construction job...

Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or driver’s license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. If you are not sure, check with your state department of motor vehicles. A REAL ID card has a gold star in the right top corner. Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel...

Cherokee, Iowa — The Cherokee Public Library has been selected to participate in the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and Association for Rural and Small Libraries’ (ARSL), Future Ready with the Library project. The Cherokee Public Library is one of 25 participants selected to participate in the third cohort of the project...

Addie Cosgrove has been active in music starting on piano in the second grade. She began alto sax and Bari sax in the fifth grade. Now a senior at Washington High School her musical commitment has paid off. She participates in school jazz band, marching band, concert band, in pep band. ...

It’s November, and that means it's NaWriMo time! NaWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, is an annual, Internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November. Participants attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript between November 1 and November 30...

Cherokee, IA (Grassroots Newswire) November 9, 2018 -- The following local EXIT Realty agents were recently honored by EXIT Realty Corp. International.

Cindy Wilberding, Associate Broker with EXIT Realty Midwest in Cherokee was honored with the Bronze Award by EXIT Realty Corp. ...

Students help with Christmas decorations   Eighty-one new garland pole wraps and 162 red bows have been purchased for this year’s Christmas decorations in Cherokee.  The previous wraps were purchased in 2006 and were on display for 12 seasons.  Over time the garland developed bare spots and became tired looking. The new garland is lit with LED lights, making them more energy efficient and saving future maintenance expense...

INDIANAPOLIS, IN--The 91st National FFA Convention & Expo will celebrate its third year of a nine-year commitment in Indianapolis beginning October 24th. More than 65,000 FFA members and guests from throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. ...

Dean Mummert, long time resident of Cherokee is just one of our diminishing veterans of World War II. At the age of 94 he recalls his time in the service.In December 1943, Dean went to Des Moines to enlist in the army as a paratrooper in the 17th airborne. ...

INDIANAPOLIS, IN--The 91st National FFA Convention & Expo will celebrate its third year of a nine-year commitment in Indianapolis beginning October 24th. More than 65,000 FFA members and guests from throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. ...

Although many local candidates were unopposed, voter turnout was brisk for the Nov. 6 general election in Cherokee County due to the immense interest in races for state offices between Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers. A reported 62% of the County’s eligible voters turned out Tuesday totaling 5,189 of the 8,348 eligible voters...

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and U.S. District 4 Representative Steve King (R-Kiron) won re-election in Tuesday’s general election, with both overcoming tense battles with respective Democrat challengers Fred Hubbel of Des Moines and JD Scholten of Sioux City...

The Quimby Fire Department has received a $4,000 grant from Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative Member-Owners Charitable Foundation. The QFD purchased a new motor for its rescue boat, life vests for firemen, and hand-held radios. Pictured left to right, Lynn Winterhof Iowa Lakes Foundation board member, and Quimby firemen Tracy Stevenson and Willie Allbaugh...

Fellowship of Christian Athletes here Tuesday night listened to an inspiration presentation by Jared Kirkeby, Northwestern College and Cherokee Braves’ baseball coach, about athletics and how our relationship with God will improve your outlook on all things, including how to be a better teammate. ...

Three Cherokee seniors, Lily Anderson, Kassidy Pingel and Payton Slaughter were recently named to the volleyball Lakes Conference First Team All-Conference squad. Cherokee netters also added two players to the Lakes All-Conference Second Team in senior Alexus Jones and sophomore JeMae Nichols. And making the honorable mention list for the Braves were sophomores Grace Anderson and Teagan Slaughter...

State Savings Bank is partnered with Jim Shima’s 3rd grade class at Roosevelt Elementary in the Partnership in Excellence Program.  The class visited the bank on October 11th where they enjoyed touring the vault, sorting and wrapping coins, watching the surveillance cameras and learning about banking and savings accounts.  They each received a piggy bank to start savings!...

(Galva, Iowa) Quad County Corn Processors, a 12.5-million-bushel corn processing biorefinery in Galva, Iowa, and CHS, Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, recently donated matching funds to the Holstein Fire & Ambulance Association to assist with purchases of new rescue equipment for confined space emergencies. ...

The Cherokee Symphony will begin its 63rd season Sunday, November 11th at 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Community Center, 530 W. Bluff St. The 55-member orchestra again under the direction of Ted Hallberg, LeMars, will present the ever-popular annual Cherokee Symphony Pops Concert. Complimentary popcorn and punch will be offered...

At a special Management Team meeting Monday, the Cherokee School Board met to discuss matters concerning the $12 million Bond issue calling for a new PK-4 addition onto the existing Middle School building. Matt Basye from FEH Design was present to discuss the FEH contract and his preliminary design concept for the PK-4 addition to CMS.  There was a Board discussion concerning direction for the preliminary design concept for the PK-4 project. ...

A special flag raising ceremony honoring our military veterans and celebrating the initial flag raising and future opening of the Iowa Food Group Plant in Cherokee will be Monday at the IFG Plant (former Tyson Foods) at 1300 Lake St. An Open House is scheduled for 2 p.m. ...

This past Sunday, a large crowd of approximately 400 interested community members attended a public open house at the new Cherokee Regional Clinic. Many marveled at the amenities the new clinic has to offer. Photo contributed CRMC Clinic Staff Dedicated nurses, doctors, clinicians and staff will champion the services offered by the new Cherokee Regional Clinic now open on the CRMC Campus...

The City’s forced involvement continues into the former dangerous building dilemma at 123 E. Main St., even after that building was razed several months ago and the lot left vacant. At the October 23 City Council meeting, the City discussed reaching out to the owner of the property at 123 E Main St. to asked if there was interest in transferring the property to the City at no cost...

Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City is pleased to announce that Jan Woodall, ARNP, has joined Mercy Medical Center with an outpatient clinic in Dr. Stephen Veit's office at 212 E. Bow Drive, in Cherokee, Iowa. Clinic hours for Jan Woodall are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 712-225-0191...