Stories from Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Weather experts continually caution people across the nation not to underestimate the destructive and deadly force of thunderstorms and lightning, which occur far more often and directly affect more of the U.S. than hurricanes. According to the National Weather Service, every thunderstorm produces lightning. On average, 350 people are injured and 90 people are killed each year in the U.S. by lightning...

The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn baseball squad split four tough contests last week, falling at Hinton 3-2, defeating Remsen-Union 6-3, beating Orange City Unity Christian 7-6 at Orange City, and losing 11-4 to a solid Sergeant Bluff-Luton club in Marcus...

The South O'Brien softball team faced a rough stretch of games last week, as they faced three ranked opponents. It all started at Hartley last Wednesday, when the Wolverines lost a War Eagle Conference game to host Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn by the score of 12-4...

The young Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn softball team stayed busy recently, losing five consecutive games to rugged opponents. The Eagles dropped a 7-0 shutout to Ridge View as Raptor pitcher Gretchen Kistenmacher fired a two-hitter and struck out four to get the win...

The Cherokee Washington High softball team came up on the short end of three recent Lakes Conference games, falling 12-1 to highly regarded Estherville-LC, and 9-5 to Sheldon in Cherokee, before dropping another 10-run mercy rule contest at Spirit Lake by the score of 11-1...

HARTLEY - The South O'Brien boys pounded out 10 hits here on Thursday, en route to a 9 - 2 War Eagle Conference win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. Sam Weber led the way for SOS at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI; Will Friedrichsen added two hits, and Jacob Roos hit his first career homerun - a solo shot to left field in the 3rd inning...

The Ridge View boys played a couple of baseball games recently and they came out on the losing end of both. On Friday, the Raptors traveled to Maple Valley to face Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto, and they were unable to hold oto a 5-0 lead against the Rams, as MVAO scored seven runs in the 5th and 6th innings and won, 8-5, in the Western Valley Conference battle...

HOLSTEIN - The Ridge View boys had a rare "sort of" doubleheader against West Monona here last Wednesday, and the Raptors took full advantage of the situation, winning both games. It was a "sort of" doubleheader because the first game was not a complete game, but rather the conclusion of a May 29th game in Onawa, which had been suspended due to rain. ...

Phyllis June Tibbetts, 88, of Peterson, passed away on June 21, 2013. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the First Congregational Church in Peterson. Rev. Steve DeGangi officiated. Burial was held at the Oakland Cemetery in Peterson. Warner Funeral Home of Peterson, www.warnerfuneralhome.com, is in charge of arrangements...

Laverne Allen Wampler, age 50, of Johnson City, TN, and formerly of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 22, 2013, at the Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN. Private family services will be held at a later date. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com...

Here is the list of vendors and the items they will have available for sale during the Cherokee Area Farmers Market under the canopy at the depot from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Thursday. This will be the fourth market of the 2013 season. Wayne Nafe will have strawberries, radishes, onions, collards, rhubarb, kohlrabi and turnips...

STORM LAKE - The Storm Lake Police Department is asking for area communities' assistance in locating a person who allegedly attempted to entice two small children on Saturday afternoon. On the afternoon of Saturday, June 22, 2013, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the 1200 block of Spooner Street in reference to a report of a male subject attempting to entice two small children...

CORRECTIONVILLE - Correctionville American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring a program, entitled, "The Power of One" on July 10 at 7 p.m. at the River Valley High School. This program will share experiences of strength, hope, encouragement, and inspiration. We all have the Power within us to make a difference in the lives of others. We have the ability on a daily basis to reach out and touch the lives of so many...

QUIMBY - The annual Quimby Watermelon Days will be launched on Friday with the Church food stand being open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Quimby Children's Parade will start at 6 p.m. This year, the theme is "Super Heroes," a subject that should give the young folks' imaginations an opportunity to dress as their favorite Super Hero...

The Cherokee County Fair Association is seeking contestants for the 2nd Annual Little Miss Cherokee County Fair Competition. Contestants must live in Cherokee County and be entering either the third or fourth grade for the upcoming 2013-14 school year...

The Koser Spring Lake Park Yacht Club Committee and City of Cherokee are hosting a Grand Opening on July 4th from 4-7 pm at the new Yacht Club to celebrate the completion of the $400,000 grass roots project that was largely funded by private donations...