Stories from Friday, February 11, 2005

A stroll through the NBA box scores in the daily newspaper is more shocking than ever today because of the sheer numbers of European players now dotting the landscape. Usually very tall and much more fundamentally sound than today's American slashers and dashers and dunkers, the white European players are in demand for all NBA teams and many college teams...

Marlin Lode has submitted his resignation as superintendent of the Cherokee School District, effective as of June 30. A meeting of the Cherokee School Board was scheduled for Friday at noon to act on the letter of resignation and to discuss procedures for hiring a new superintendent...

A congressional committee in Washington listened last week as uniformed military personnel and family members testified about the benefits provided when a combat death occurs. Currently, there is a tax-free death gratuity of $12,420. A proposal would increase that to $100,000, but only when the death occurs in a designated war zone. Another proposal would raise life insurance benefits available for all service members to $400,000 from $250,000...

The death of a young person is a sad event and the death in Iraq of U.S. Marine Cpl. Nathan Schubert seemed particularly so. Those who knew the 2001 graduate of Washington High School in Cherokee speak of him with respect and affection. He will be missed...

Winter is viewed by many as a time to get some indoor projects done. If you have to spend more time indoors, might as well get something accomplished. Like most wives, there is always a few things you'd like to see done. ...

Voters in Storm Lake approved a $3.5 million bond issue by 74 percent, overwhelmingly supporting the ambitious Project Awaysis. The voters decided to take advantage of an opportunity to spend $3.5 million in local government funds to get an additional $8 million in state funds, which when combined with private investments and contributions will create a $29 million waterfront development. The development will include an aquatic park, other recreational facilities, a lodge and condominiums...

Julie Paulsen R.N., health services director for the Cherokee School District, presented her report for the first semester of the current school year to school board members and administrators at the Monday management team meeting. Paulsen had a listing of the various kinds of health service activities performed during the first semester, broken down by how many times each activities was performed at each of the three buildings...

The Cherokee City Council authorized Vance and Associates to proceed with fund raising for an aquatic center to replace the municipal swimming pool. The fund raising would also be for enhancements at the adjacent Gillette Park. A citizens committee has employed Vance and Associates to undertake a preliminary study, including preliminary designs and contacts within the community...

Elwyn Taylor, Iowa State Climatologist described weather factors affecting growing conditions, an indicator of future yields at the ag show show at the Cherokee campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College on Tuesday. During his talk, which included many amusing anecdotes,...

After some discussion, the Cherokee City Council, voted to advertise the position of Recreation Director, the position previously held by Rich Hinkhouse. Currently, Duane Mummert, parks superintendent, and Linda Peterson, community center director, have been filling in as best they can for the absence of a recreation director...

The Little Sioux Wildlife Association will hold its annual meeting and fish fry at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Cherokee VFW basement, according to Don Dalton, LSW president. The fish fry begins at 6 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow. Cost is $5.50 for adults, and $3 for children age 12 and under...

A special presentation illustrating the art of creating leaded glass windows will be hosted by the Sanford Museum at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Mark Bogenrief of Bogenrief Studios of Cherokee will take visitors through the process of creating the renowned stained glass windows, as well as presenting the history of Bogenrief Studios...