Stories from Thursday, August 28, 2008

Recently, the Cherokee Fire and Rescue received a new sign for their firehouse. The sign was provided by Mid-America which donated funds for the sign by matching the volunteer hours of one of their employees who is a member of the CFR. Mike Witcombe, a 23-year veteran of the CFR, used his volunteer hours to have the sign made at Holton Custom Signs. Members of Mid-America even came to the firehouse and put up the sign. Photo by Chris Reed...

We always talk about prep sports and athletes, and the games they play, but what about their hectic social lives? With the new school year just starting, here's one of the most frequent questions asked: I'm going steady with a real pretty girl, but I think maybe she doesn't like me anymore. How can I tell?...

This new sign on the bottom of the scoreboard at Aurelia's Valor Field salutes the proud tradition of Bulldog football. The Bulldogs have qualified for the state 8-player playoffs in five of the last seven years. Photo by Dan Whitney

The Cherokee County Chapter of Thrivent Financial has been quite busy this sumer as they reach out to help others. The seven Lutheran Churches who participate with the group includes Trinity Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Cherokee, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Aurelia, Pilgrim Lutheran Church of Quimby, Trinity Lutheran Church of rural Marcus, Peace Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church of Marcus...

The Cherokee County Auditor's office advises that Absentee Ballots for the upcoming Aurelia, Cherokee and Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn School Elections are now available in the auditor's office located in the Cherokee County Courthouse. If you are unable to vote on the scheduled Election Day, Sept. 9, you may come to the Auditor's office and vote, or you may request in writing an absentee ballot be mailed to you...

Jeff Hoskinson of Anamosa, Iowa visited the Sanford Museum's Planetarium on Aug. 15. What makes his visit unique is that Hoskinson was there to just dance. Yes, dance. You see Hoskinson is currently working on his new 'You Tube' video. For those of you who are not familiar with Hoskinson, you may want to check out his video on You Tube.com...

For water enthusiasts, from fisherman to boaters to swimmers to picnickers, the news is simply too good to be true - scientists in the burgeoning renewable energy field say they can make fuel out of algae. That's right. That stinky, slimy, disgusting plant-life scum that adorns our lakes, ponds, seas, and bays could be a lucrative crop in the production of biofuels...

If I was a country that wanted to make trouble for the U.S., this would be the time. It shouldn't surprise anyone if Russia wants to demand more authority over others and have us trembling in our shoes what they will do. Reminds one of the days when some home owners had a basement room prepared as a bomb shelter. Which was pretty ridiculous when looking back at history...

DES MOINES --Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized Century Farm families during a ceremony at the recent State Fair. To qualify, a family must have owned their farmstead for 100 years or more. Helene Prunty from Cherokee County received a "Century Farm" certificate and yard sign from the Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau during the event...

Forrest W. Vicstrum, of Cherokee, is celebrating his 90th birthday on Sept. 1, 2008. His family is requesting a card shower to celebrate. Cards can be sent to 208 E. Bow Drive, Apartment 5 in Cherokee. Forrest was born in Alta in 1918 to Peter and Mary Swanson. ...

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel feeding the brain bursts or is clogged, causing a sudden disruption in the blood flow to the brain. Stroke is the third leading killer in the Unites States. Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke. On Thursday, Sept. 11, Cherokee Regional Medical Center will offer two low cost screenings. ...

STORM LAKE, IOWA -- A number of area students have received scholarships from Buena Vista University for the 2008-2009 academic year. Jodi Carlson from Cherokee has received a BVU Heritage, School of Science, Loyal Hayes and Frederick and Ida Vast Endowed Scholarships. ...

This group of Thrivent volunteers planted flowers at Silver Sioux Park. Young boys towards the back were busy at it, as well as several adults. Photo contributed

The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce welcomed Wilson's TV and Appliances' new owner Steve Ebert and his wife Jane Ebert to the Chamber with a Red Ribbon Coffee on August 22. Photo by Rhonda Fassler

CRMC Public Health Services has set the Immunization Clinic Schedule for the fourth quarter of 2008 as follows: CRMC Public Health Services is located at 1000 South Second in Cherokee. Appointments for the Immunization Clinic are highly recommended. To schedule an appointment call (712) 225-6459. Unscheduled visitors will be seen on a first come, first served basis...

Winnifred F. Montgomery, 95, of Cherokee, passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 at Careage Hills in Cherokee. Funeral services were held on August 26 at the Meriden Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Larry Ostercamp and Lewis Leeds officiating. Burial was in the Cedar Cemetery at Larrabee. Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee was in charge of arrangements...