News

We heartily join Sioux Valley Family Health’s initiative to remember our nursing home residents in their time of need for human contact with family and friends during this deadly, restrictive pandemic woefully diminished and marginalized from Day 1 by the Trump Administration...

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leah Niemeier has resigned the post effective Aug. 28, after two months on the job. Niemeier served as former Director Julie Hering Kent’s part-time assistant the past five years and was offered the job shortly after Hering Kent resigned at the end of May to take a job out of town...

With many businesses shut down for months and customers concerned about spreading the coronavirus through handling cash, people are using coins less frequently. As a result, this has led to a shortage of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in circulation, according to bank officials near and far...

The Ridge View Softball season came to end here on Tuesday afternoon with a loss to top rated and defending state champs in North Linn by the score of 10-0 in 5 innings.  Taking the loss on the mound for the young Raptors was Addison Schmidt who threw 4 2/3 innings, giving up 9 earned runs on 12 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1.  Ridge View ends the shortened season at 11-9.  The coaches were very proud of this team even after the tough loss.  There were many ups and downs as we tried to replace many seniors from last year's squad that lost in the Regional Finals to Newell-Fonda.  The kids worked hard all season to improve and get better day by day. ...

The Covid pandemic has greatly affected our elderly friends in nursing homes and assisted living centers. No longer able to have family come in to visit them, many of our nursing home residents are suffering from loneliness and depression and their health is declining because of it...

Driving down Main Street, you many notice that from 1st St. to 6th St. every corner is filled with an assortment of beautiful flowers. As part of the Cherokee Street Department, Tammy Olson’s hard work shows vibrantly. Tammy gets to do what she loves – gardening...

With most of western Iowa experiencing some form of drought, specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to offer a series of webinars on Thursdays...

The Cherokee City Council at Tuesday’s meeting approved the first reading of an Ordinance Relating to Fireworks, with a revision changing the time allowed for discharge on July 4 from 12 p.m. (noon) to 11 p.m. The State of Iowa legalized the selling of fireworks in Iowa in 2017, but left it up to the municipalities whether to allow or ban shooting fireworks within City Limits for set periods surrounding the 4th of July and New Year’s...

At Thursday’s Cherokee Farmers Market at the Depot from 4-6 p.m. the second Gift Basket Drawing will be held. Each participating vendor will contribute one item to the basket. Customer will purchase items from vendors and carry purchases to the table with the Wicker Gift Basket filled with products donated from vendors. ...

The Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) and the Office of Inspector General recognize that we are facing unprecedented times and are alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). ...

Cherokee CSD is committed to supporting students, families, and staff in the “Return to Learn” format as school is scheduled to reopen Aug. 24. Staff deliberated on three models as directed by the Iowa Department of Education. With guidance and support from the IDE and Northwest Area Education Agency, the models are a Required Continuous (Virtual) Learning model, a Hybrid Learning model, and an On-site Learning model...

The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce invites you to be a part of the 16th Annual Cherokee Chamber Golf Outing, Tuesday, August 25 starting at 10 AM at the venerable Cherokee Golf Course. This event proves to be fun -filled for everyone with a flighted 4-person Best Ball format. Look for some new games and events to be included in this year's tournament...

(Part one in a series of local law enforcement activity, see page 8 in CT for photos) We know that the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department does a lot to keep our county safe and dispatch paperwork for civil matters of the courts. But what goes on inside the building and in their vehicles? Sheriff Jerod Clyde was happy to take a day and show us how things work inside the Sheriff’s office and out on patrol...

The proposed Cherokee Braves football field turf project fundraising effort received a joyous jump this week with the announcement from North Star Community Credit Union of Cherokee that it was donating $225,000 to the project. North Star representatives met with project committee members Tuesday at their new building nearing completion on North 2nd Street to commemorate a check presentation. The funds will be dispersed over a 5-year period, as will all major donations, according to plan...

The Cherokee School Board, taking no official action to the contrary, rolled over Superintendent Kim Lingenfelter’s contract for one more year, effective July 1 2020, the start of the new fiscal year. Lingenfelter received an extended 3-year contract in March 2019 from the former School Board (on a contentious 3-2 vote) at an annual salary of $155,810 for the 2019-2020 school year. ...

The Cherokee Public Library has gained a new full-time employee, Raegan Bunting. Bunting comes to Cherokee from Billings, Montana and has accepted the position as Programming and Outreach Librarian.  Bunting has a double Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Music Performance. ...

In action Monday night, the Cherokee School Board accepted the resignation of Conner Aden as District Technology Assistant and approved extending a contract to Gina Kiehn to replace Aden at that position. In a special Board meeting June 30, the Board accepted the resignation of Rebecca Steckelberg, WHS Ag Instructor and FFA sponsor, and approved extending a contract to Laura Mincks to replace Steckelberg for both positions...

With the pandemic forcing cancelation of the 2020 Cherokee PRCA Rodeo in June, area rodeo fans can still get their fix between the fences this Thursday through Saturday (July 23-25) at the “Rodeo at the Ranch” at the Barnes Rafter B Bar Ranch at 2202 450th St., Peterson, Ia...

With the 2019-2020 school year cut short and forced into remote learning from home due to the pandemic, Cherokee Schools’ end of the year enrollment figures were compiled in March (3-13-20) for the three District buildings, Roosevelt Elementary, Middle School, and Washington High School...

We applaud the Cherokee City Council and Administrator Eric List for addressing the 4th of July fireworks ban in the City, as it was a confusing boondoggle for both residents and law enforcement ever since the State allowed their sale (in 2017) but left it up to the municipalities whether to allow them to be shot off or not...

Ralph E. Watts, age 80, of Aurelia, Iowa died on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, Iowa. Public graveside services were held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. Public visitation took place on Monday, July 13, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. ...

Cherokee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is happy to announce that our 16th Annual Foundation Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, August 3, 2020 at the Cherokee Golf Course. “After much thought and careful consideration over the past few months, we feel it is necessary to move forward with event as the health care needs of the citizens we serve will continue during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CRMC CEO/President Gary Jordan...

Youth soccer registration is now open for the fall of 2020, games are held on Mondays August 24-October 5. Youth must be at least 4 years old on/or before August 24. Registration coast is $25 each for the first 2 children, $15 for the 3rd, 4th, etc. and just $15 for coaches children...

In Cherokee City Council action Tuesday, the Council approved the 1st reading and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of an Ordinance Implementing Traffic Signage Changes at West Elm and South 6th Streets. This ordinance provides for a permanent stop sign for vehicles traveling west on West Elm Street at the intersection of South 6th Street...

Cherokee Regional Medical Center officials are pleased to announce that they have eased some of the visitor restrictions that were put into place in March 2020 in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic. CRMC, however, is committed to keeping patients, visitors and team members as safe as possible, so the following visitor guidelines must be practiced until further notice:...

According to the Cherokee Regional Medical Center, in conjunction with the Cherokee County Department of Public Health, the current situation of COVID-19 in Cherokee County (Per IDPH on 7/15/2020) is Positive Cases - 85, Recovered Cases - 71, and Deaths - 1...

MARCUS - Senator Joni Ernst and Sec. of Ag Mike Naig visited Marcus last week for the groundbreaking of an upcoming solar install at the MMCRU High School, and also toured a large solar system already installed at Dorr Farms near Marcus. The school project is estimated to save the equivalent of 430 tons of CO2 annually and contribute more than $700,000 in energy savings to the School’s budget over 25 years...

ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Lily Andersonand Kelsay Parrott#, students at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, have earned a spot on the Academic Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester. The Dean’s List is comprised of students who have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above while carrying a minimum of 12 graded hours. ...

A recent study by financial technology company SmartAsset finds the places in Iowa where residents receive the most value for what they pay in property taxes, with Ida, Cherokee and O’Brien counties among the Top Ten listed. First, the study measures the effective property tax paid in each county to determine the relative property tax burden. ...

AURELIA - If your looking to see a large collection of historical antiques, from a musket dating back to the Civil War, to a wedding dress from 1899, the Aurelia Heritage Center has what your looking for. The building we see now went through a number of different changes. ...

At this time of the year, especially this spring and summer, homes in Cherokee and other places around Iowa have been a hot spot for sweet eating ant and carpenter ant infestations. Otherwise known as "sugar ants," these sweet eating ants are usually small and are especially persistent in invading kitchens, cabinets, and sinks in an attempt to bring food or water back to their nest...

Though opening was delayed by about 2 weeks and started slow, the Bacon Aquatic Center (BAC) is open and running smoothly. With some adjustments to the ways of previous years to follow CDC guidelines, the pool is still a great place to cool down during these hot days of July and August...

With the cancellation of many annual events this summer, celebrating Independence Day brought some normalcy to the summer of 2020. Put on by members of the Cherokee Fire Department and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, the 4th of July fireworks display takes a bit more work than just lighting a fuse...

The Cherokee Trails Committee is honored to receive the gift of $10,000 towards the Cherokee Trails expansion project from the Ron and Jolette Honsbruch family. The $10,000 gift is in memory of their son, Aaron Honsbruch. Aaron is a 1991 Cherokee WHS graduate who died suddenly in February 2018. Prior to this time Aaron enjoyed jogging and riding his bicycle in Cherokee and walking trails in Wichita, Kansas. Aaron also participated in several RAGBRAI events...

Grand Meadow Heritage Center has ventured beyond its normal activities while facing the problems caused by COVID-19 cancellations and postponements. The Heritage Center had several annual fundraising events which were postponed, but dedicated volunteers were determined to find a way to continue to serve both the community and the museum. A series of video walk-through tours were the first move. The tours were fun and informative, exploring the museum's collection and history. ...

At Tuesday’s Cherokee County Board of Supervisors meeting, Sue Johnson, Pam Allen and Bonnie Lewis represented the Aurelia Heritage Society and provided an informative presentation about past events hosted at the Historical Museum and Heritage House, along with current financial reports...

MARCUS - Senator Joni Ernst will be in the Marcus area Tuesday (July 7) for the groundbreaking of an upcoming solar install at the MMCRU High School. The project is estimated to save the equivalent of 430 tons of CO2 annually and contribute more than $700,000 in energy savings to the School’s budget over 25 years...

Schools should communicate with student families that if there is a health concern, the family should speak with a health care provider. Maintain confidentiality in received reports of any staff member or student having a communicable disease or illness. Contact your local public health agency directly related to reports of communicable disease and draft communications prior to sending them out to the school community...

Located on the campus of Cherokee Mental Health Institute is The Ecumenical Institute for Clinical Pastoral Education. This past fall the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) awarded the Ecumenical Institute a 10-year accreditation to conduct programs of Level I and Level II CPE...

At last week’s Cherokee City Council meeting, Debbie Nelson, acting president of the Cherokee Daycare at 400 N. Roosevelt Ave., requested the Council reduce their utility bill for the time period April 16 to May 18, 2020. While the facility was closed during this time period due to the COVID-19 pandemic a toilet was running, resulting in water consumption of 78,200 cubic feet and a bill for this time period in the amount of $6,337.96. ...

A reorganization and employee salary adjustments of the Cherokee County Auditor’s Office signed off on by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday will save the County approximately $50,000 annually, according to Auditor Kris Glienke. The Board approved a $45,325.00 (70% of Auditor’s salary) wage authorization for Jodi Mongan, Payroll/Accounting Manager, effective July 1, 2020; a $45,325.00 (70% of Auditor’s salary) wage authorization for Kaitlin Letsche, Accounting/Elections Manager, effective July 1, 2020; a $45,325.00 (70% of Auditor’s salary) wage authorization for Nissa Renken, Real Estate/Voter Registration Manager, effective July 1, 2020; and an $18.00 per hour wage authorization for Tom Whittaker, Election Technician, effective July 1, 2020.. ...

The recent Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Fundraiser for the 2020 4th of July spectacle was a great success, with $4,891 raised this year through donations from local business, organizations and individuals. The Fundraiser aired on KCHE and featured call-in pledges combined with other donations made to the Chamber for this year’s Fireworks Show at Spring Lake Park at dusk on Saturday, July 4...

$6 million LSCP access road no go

This column is a continuation of last week’s titled “New Opportunities”. A quick summary of last week is that the library is reevaluating job descriptions with the goal of better serving the community. This is needed especially now in the era of COVID-19. The article discussed how Judy, one of our longtime librarians would focus more on data and helping manage the budget while the new position which is still in the process of being filled will focus on tech and programming at the library...

SV HISTORY We did a little history digging on the Sioux Valley Amateur Match Play Golf Tournament as the 86th edition unfolded this past weekend at the Cherokee Golf Course. The tournament, the oldest match play tourney in our state, is special to many golfers and fans, locally, regionally and from all parts of the country...

More than 5,700 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students graduated this spring under extraordinary circumstances. The month of May usually finds the UI's beautiful campus teeming with families and students in their caps and gowns. ...

In the Iowa Utility Board’s (IUB) approval order to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), the Board said, “The IUB issued an order on March 27, 2020 granting an amendment to Dakota Access, LLC, for its hazardous liquid permit, which allows the pipeline company to proceed with improvements to its pump station in Cambridge, Iowa, and related plan to increase the flow of oil from the current limit of 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) to up to 1.1 million bpd...

The Cherokee Regional Medical Center and Public Health continue to keep citizens informed of the latest updates as the coronavirus pandemic situation develops further. As of Thursday, Cherokee County had 62 confirmed COVID-19 positive tests, with 47 having already recovered after self-isolating at home for approximately 14 days. ...

The Cherokee prom court for 2020 includes  Kobe Grell, Michael Burkhart, Alex Paulsrud, Dustin Kohn, Nathan Mallory, Trista Johnston, Mattison Lugar, Kayden Waldner, Emma Jensen and Kaysie Johnson.