News

Kerisa Pingel, Educator at the Sanford Museum and Planetarium, conducted the first of four weekly summer camp sessions at the museum on Thursday, June 22. The first session concerned dinosaurs,

Rick Mongan, chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors, notified other board members at their June 20 meeting that he hoped to complete interviews of potential Veterans Affairs Commissioners later this week to have names to submit the the full board of supervisors...

Cara Jacobson, Cherokee School District Food Service Director, reported to the Cherokee School Board on June 19 that participation in the summer lunch program has gone up from an average of about 100 kids a day last summer to about 130 a day this year...

Alyssa A. Herbold, P.L.C. opened her primary office in Cherokee in January under a cost-sharing arrangement with Wibe & Phillips, Attorneys at Law. The practice also opened a satellite office in the United Bank of Iowa in Pierson in May. Herbold is a solo practitioner whose primary focus is Estates & Probate, Family Law, Mediation, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law, and Income Taxation. The law firm is appointed as the City Attorney for Cherokee, Quimby, and Washta...

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The National FFA Organization has awarded a $1.500 America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders scholarship to Dylan Kohn, a graduate of Cherokee Washington High School. The scholarship is sponsored by Monsanto Fund, and Kohn plans to use the funds to pursue a degree at South Dakota State University...

Resignations accepted at the June 19 Cherokee School Board meeting included some long-time educators. Lynn Jolly resigned as Industrial Arts teacher, assistant varsity football coach and varsity boys track coach. Kelly Pitts resigned as Second Grade teacher. Katherine Mathis resigned as Cherokee Middle School Art teacher and Matt Hoskinson retired as Junior High basketball coach...

The Cherokee Community Theatre will present the final production of the 2016-17 season, “Little Women”, starting on Thursday June 22, with 7 p.m. performances on June 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and July 1. Sunday matinees will be performed on June 25 and July 2 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Cherokee Community Center...

Here is the updated list of vendors and the items available for sale during the Cherokee Area Farmers Market under the canopy at the depot from 4 to 6 p.m. this Thursday, June 22. This will be the fourth market of the 2017 market season. Wayne Nafe of Wayne’s Veggies will have snap peas, green beans, radishes, kohlrabi, onions, and rhubarb...

“We’re actively developing the Glacier’s Edge Wind Project in western Cherokee County near Marcus. The projected project is 200 megawatts (MW) and we hope to be in service by the end of 2019,” said Chris Sternhagen, Director, Development for EDF Renewable Energy based out of Minneapolis, Minn...

The Music Department of the Alta-Aurelia school has been awarded a $5,327 Buena Vista County Foundation Grant to help purchase new percussion equipment for its music department, including a 4.5 octave marimba for the high school band and a full set of Orff Instruments for the elementary music program...

An opening ceremony took place Thursday evening after the Moving Vietnam Wall was erected at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds. Look for more photos of events regarding the wall in the June 21 Chronicle Times.

The last day to sign up for the Sanford Museum Kids' Camp is Tuesday, June 20 (tomorrow). Forms are available at the museum, 117 East Willow in Cherokee. There will be four sessions, each held on a Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon. June 22 activities will feature fossils and dinosaurs...

Quad County Corn Processors, in Galva, and Co Bank, recently donated $5,000 to Operation Engage America, co-founded by Jeff and Lisa Naslund of Galva, and Howard and Jean Somers of San Diego, Calif., the mission of Operation Engage America is to offer support, awareness, education and resources to Veterans, First Responders and their families for those living with Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury. ...

The annual Quimby Watermelon Days are fast approaching, with this year’s festivities happening on Friday June 23rd and Saturday June 24th. Townspeople and vistors alike can experience the following in Qumby that weekend: Carnival Beer Garden Ice Cream...

The Sanford Museum and Planetarium reports that the summer solstice (beginning of summer) occurs at 11:24 a.m. Central Daylight Savings Time on Tuesday, June 20.

As the only Buddhist chaplain at Buckley Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado— and the entire Air Force Reserve, for that matter — Brett Campbell, a native of Cherokee, has a small flock of 14 self-identifying Buddhists to serve. But the possibility of bringing the benefits of mindfulness to the large military community in the Denver suburbs are endless...

The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay an estimated $268,233 for 20 acres of land owned by Raymond Dorr in Spring Township. The portion of the parcel with gravel is determined to be 9.15 acres and will be purchased for $21,311 per acre...

A pending agreement between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the City of Cherokee is a victory for common sense, with a savings potentially in the range of $2.5 to $3 million. The Cherokee City Council was addressed at a meeting on June 13 by George Schmidt, wastewater foreman, and Gregory Sindt, senior environmental engineer for Bolton and Menk...

Something’s cooking at the Cherokee Country Club - and that’s great news for club members or anyone else who enjoys fine cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The Club, which has been without a regular food service for a few years now, began contracting with Executive Chef Kurt Chausse and his partner/ wife Liz in May of this year. Liz is a native of Cherokee, the daughter of Vern Cunningham...

The Moving Wall Vietnam Memorial, a one-half replica of the permanent memorial in Washington D.C. arrived in Cherokee on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by the Iowa State Patrol and the Legion Riders. The wall will remain at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds through the weekend, with Veterans Appreciation Day ceremonies held on Saturday...

CONCERNING PETITION FOR REORGANIZATION OF ALTA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AURELIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that all objections to the petition for the reorganization of the Alta Community School District and the Aurelia Community School District must be filed in the Office of the Administrator of Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency, 500 NE 6th Street, PO Box 802, Pocahontas, Iowa 50574, no later than 12 o'clock Noon on June 19, 2017...

Everywhere in the United States today there will be a final rally for the sale of Liberty bonds, and Cherokee county will do its part to make it a memorable day in history. Every bank in the county will remain open until midnight tonight to receive subscriptions for Liberty bonds, and in this city preparations have been made for a big demonstration...

ISG Services, Chief Project Inspector, Cole Kruizenga appeared at the Tuesday, June 6, 2017 O’Brien County Board of Supervisors meeting to review Dakota Access Pipeline’s (DAPL) construction inspection activities on the largely completed 30-inch diameter Bakken Pipeline project and to explain what remains to be finished...

The Centers Against Abuse & Sexual Assault, Centers of Hope (CAASA), has a new Cherokee County Sexual Assault Advocate - Amber Pelsor. CAASA, is a non-profit agency that provides free and confidential services to victims of sexual assault. CAASA provides services in Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties...

The 2017 Abu Bekr Shrine Circus is coming to Cherokee, sponsored by Cherokee Shrine Club. The 3-ring circus will perform twice at the Cherokee Fair Grounds, with the first performance beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 and the second performance at 6 p.m. that same day...

The Cherokee Community Theatre is in rehearsals for the final production of the 2016-17 season, “Little Women: The Broadway Musical,” produced in conjunction with Music Theatre International. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. ...

The flag flying beneath the American flag at the old post office, on the corner of Willow Street and Highway 59 in Cherokee, was acquired by a Cherokee man. The flag commemorates the 100th anniversary of World War I, and it was placed in honor of local WWI vets, who were instrumental in starting the Cherokee branch of the VFW...

The arrival in Cherokee of the Vietnam Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the permanent memorial in Washington, D.C., is the culmination of a major effort, spearheaded by the Cherokee County Office of Veterans Affairs. “We have been working on it for the last 10 years, since we had it back in September of 2007,” said Dana Evans, director of Cherokee County Veterans Affairs...

The 51st Cherokee PRCA Rodeo wrapped up three performances of rodeo action on June 3rd, with top - ranked contestants in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) competing for prize money and trophy buckles. Barnes' animal athletes thrilled the crowds nightly with their energetic bucking style. The high marked bareback horse was St. Paul Crystal, offspring of Crystal Springs. The brown mare repeated the MVP title for the second straight rodeo among the Barnes' bareback herd...

One of the most beloved American classic books, Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women,’ was turned into a musical play and ran on Broadway in 2005. The Cherokee Community Theater will be presenting this musical version on June 22-25 and June 29 - July 2nd at the Cherokee Community Center...

Bonnie Varce is one of the new vendors this year at the Cherokee Area Farmers’ Market which began the season on Thursday. The market will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays from June through September at the Cherokee Depot.

This Sunday, June 11, Cherokee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) will host a 100th “Birthday” Party from 1:30 - 3 p.m. in the CRMC Wellness Center Gymnasium. The family - friendly birthday party themed event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome and invited to join in the fun...

The Cherokee County Pork Producers will conduct a cookout on Friday June 9 beginning at 11 a.m. for a free will offering. All proceeds will go to the Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society.

The 2017 Relay for Life event of the American Cancer Society takes place in Cherokee at Gillette Park (where the municipal swimming pool is located) this Sunday , June 11. A community supper will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A free will offering will be accepted...

Friday’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Keva Boutique, 115 East Main Street, starting at 9:30 a.m.

MARCUS — As Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn/Remsen Union seniors walked across the stage to graduate on May 21, they were unique from other county schools. This year’s seniors are the first class to graduate as “Royals.” When Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn began whole grade sharing with Remsen-Union for the 2016-2017 school year, MMCRU High School Principal Jason Toenges said he had one goal for his students, new and old. ...

Relay For Life is a community - based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries.Events are held in local communities, campus universities and in virtual worlds. ...

Kim Keleher has been named the Interim CEO of Plains Area Mental Health, effective May 1, 2017. Keleher will succeed Patrick Schmitz, who has been the CEO for the past 13 years and has accepted a position in Lawrence, Kansas as the CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center...

Two special events will take place at the historic Cherokee Depot this Saturday. as part of the celebration of the 51st annual Cherokee PRCA Rodeo. A Western Cookout will take place from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., featuring a grilled hamburger or hot dog, chips, beans, lemonade and homemade bars, for a cost of $6...

This week's Chamber Coffee will be hosted by the Rodeo Committee in the Bomgaars Expo Building on the Cherokee County Fairgrounds on Friday, June 2nd, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Fourth generation of Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company on the ground

Memorial Day is next Monday, May 29th, and area communities are planning programs to commemorate the occasion. Here are the programs of which the Chronicle Times is aware: Washta will have a program at Sunset View Cemetery at 10 a.m. and a ceremony at Grand Meadow cemetery at 11 a.m...

New to the Cherokee PRCA Rodeo this year is the announcer Randy Taylor. Randy Taylor's journey into the sports entertainment business has been life long, both challenging and rewarding. As a youngster, he was selling popcorn and peanuts while his dad was racing. He learned much assisting the University of Wyoming rodeo club with production of one of the best NIRA rodeos in the nation. He has also produced events in large venues including Professional Rodeo, Bull Riding and Motor Sports...

Every spring, Cherokee Regional Medical Center and the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary each give scholarships to area high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in health care. There were many outstanding applicants from the graduating class of 2017 so a total of eight scholarships were awarded...

A popular local music festival has a new identity for a fresh start, with an energetic lineup for two days of performances in August. Mill Creek Festival, replacing the event formerly known as Creek Fest, will be held Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5, at its "Party in the Pasture" site, rural Cherokee...

It's May, and that means the 51st annual Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo will be here before you know it. Thousands of rodeo enthusiasts travel to Cherokee every summer for the Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo. The annual event takes place the weekend after Memorial Day. Barnes PRCA Rodeo, headquartered in rural Peterson, Iowa, is the largest contractor for rodeo livestock in the area, and they have been involved with rodeo for over 50 years...

AURELIA - The congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia invites area residents to join them in bidding a fond farewell to Pastor Larry and Marge Lemke at an Open House in the Aurelia Community Center on Sunday May 28th. Pastor Lemke, who has served the St. ...

Cherokee Regional Medical Center, North Star Community Credit Union, and other sponsors host Annual Children's Miracle Network cookout on June 1 to benefit local hospitals. 62 children enter a Children's Miracle Network Hospital for treatment every minute. ...

CHEROKEE -- Governor Terry E. Branstad participated in a ceremony in the auditorium at the MHI Tuesday to celebrate the achievement of Cherokee County being certified as the 48th Home Base Iowa (HBI) community. The event was hosted by veterans and local businesses and community leaders...

Friday's Chamber Coffee, at 9:30 a.m., will be hosted at the Cherokee Airport. Sunday morning from 7 a.m. - 12 noon, the annual Flight Breakfast will also take place at the airport.