Stories from Monday, March 10, 2014

Every March 17, individuals tap into their inner Irish and celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Myth and fact have melded over the years with respect to St. Patrick, and many people aren't quite sure what to believe about this beloved holiday...

Aaron and Susan Dodd of Sioux City are pleased to announce the birth of their baby girl on February 25, 2014. Aubree Lynn weighed 6 lb. 9 ounces and measured 19 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big brother, Jackson. Grandparents are Gary and Linda Amunson of Sioux City, John and Jennifer Tippmann of Rapid City, South Dakota and Glen and Deborah Dodd of Aurelia. Florence Dodd of Alta and Donna McDonald of Diagonal, Iowa are Aubree's paternal great-grandmothers...

This Wednesday's Sermons a la Carte message is "The Healing of the Man Who Was Born Blind," presented by Pastor Pinky Person of Faith in Christ Fellowship. The sermon will be from 12:05 - 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Wilow St., and it will be followed by lunch ($3/person), served by Mount Olive Baptist Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church...

These Ridge View students participated in the recent Western Valley Conference Honor Choir, under the direction of Kris Kistenmacher, Ridge View High School Vocal Director. They include, left to right, Allison Kestel, Sara Gisch, Christian Ekstrand, and Jonah Kistenmacher. Jonah Kistenmacher also attended the Buena Vista Honor Band in February. Tyler Schnuckel is the High School Band director. Photo contributed...

Members of the Wa-Tan-Ye service organization are out promoting the National Wa-Tan-Ye Week this week. Last week, Cherokee Mayor Mark Murphy issued a proclamation declaring this week as Wa-Tan-Ye Week in Cherokee. As part of their promotion, the Wa-Tan-Ye invites the public to come and learn more about their organization through their display at the American Theater...

DES MOINES - Washington High School culinary students recently competed in the Iowa ProStart Competition in Des Moines. The competition consists of two different events: The first event is the culinary part, in which students have 60 minutes to prepare a starter, entrée, and dessert, using only two butane burners. Professional chefs at the event said that this event is difficult as you don't normally work under these conditions -- no electricity, no refrigeration, and limited burner spaces...

Students at the Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Elementary School in Cleghorn participated in "Hoops for Heart" during the months of November and December. The students raised more than $1,800 for the American Heart Association and helped celebrate living a heart - healthy lifestyle...

The Iowa AAU Kids State Championship Meet was held at the Wells-Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd, with 11 wrestlers from the Aurelia Junkyard Dogs competing. After a long season of tournaments all over the state and nation, the young wrestlers put their efforts towards the State Tournament, after all qualified by placing in the top four at the Northwest Regional in Spencer...