Stories from Monday, March 17, 2014

The Cherokee Symphony held student soloist auditions Saturday at the Cherokee Community Center, with three musicians selected to play at the May 4th Student Soloist Concert which will be held at the Cherokee Community Center at 4 p.m. Soloists selected include Sophie Jin, pianist, from Dordt College in Sioux Center, who will play "Piano Concerto in A Minor" by Schumann; Derek Hwang, cellist, a student at Sioux City Sacred Heart School, who will play "Concerto in C Major" by Haydn; and Catherine Glackin, flutist, a student at Spencer Middle School, who will play "Concerto for Flute and Orchestra" by Gordeli.. ...

Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation's 19th Annual Cherokee County Recognition Banquet is Saturday, March 29 at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Cherokee. There will be a Social Hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a Buffet Dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the Awards and Presentations at 7 p.m...

Last week was the second "funnel week", which means Senate Files must pass from a House Committee and House bills need to clear a Senate Committee. More bills died last week, but those that survived have a pretty good chance of making it to the Governor's desk. ...

Despite the frigid temperatures and icy, snowy weather that have plagued us this winter, rest assured the first robins have returned to brighten our days and make us think of beautiful, refreshing Spring! For many, Spring means it's time for the enjoyable rigors of annual gardening. There is more to growing veggies and flowers than you think. Experts point out common mistakes made by even the most experienced gardeners and the right ways to improve your gardening "health."...

Bernetta Reinert of Marcus, 91, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. Funeral arrangements are currently pending at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Marcus. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com...

Dennis "Bear" F. Clark of Cherokee, 43, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee. Pastor Gregg Johnson officiated...

March 15 Mary Jo Ruppert of Cherokee March 17 Diane Driggs of Cherokee

Bud Winterton, right, Worthy Patron of Alta Chapter 138 of the Order of the Eastern Star, is pictured here donating $100 to Nicole Mier, center, Mid-Sioux Outreach Coordinator, and Courtney Johnson, Mid-Sioux Outreach Assistant, to help fill the Mid-Sioux Food Pantry...

Pastor Pinky Person of Faith in Christ Fellowship in Cherokee was the speaker at last week's Sermons Ala Carte, which is held at the Cherokee Memorial Presbyterian Church. Person delivered a sermon entitled "The Healing of the Man Born Blind." Servers at last week's Sermons Ala Carte were from the Faith in Christ Fellowship, First Baptist Church of Cherokee, Mount Olive Baptist Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. ...

Following a scheduled Public Hearing, the Cherokee City Council last week approved the proposed $9.2 million City Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 and they also approved the second reading of the proposed ordinance that would raise the municipal water and sewer user fees...

Members of the Cherokee Washington High School Large Group Speech Team recently performed "Every Book of the Bible in 20 minutes or Less" during an assembly at the high school. This performance was part of the team's Readers Theater presentation.

WASHTA - March 28 is the date for all children who will be planning to attend kindergarten at River Valley Community School in August to enroll. All children and their parents are invited to visit the kindergarten room and take part in the planned activities for the morning...

The date for signing your child up for preschool for the 2014-2015 school year at River Valley is fast approaching. Preschool Registration will be Wednesday, March 26, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elementary building in Washta. Come in, see the students' classrooms, and meet the RV staff...

Christensen Bros. has announced their tentative work schedule for the replacement of the bridge located on River Road immediately adjacent to Cherokee County Conservation offices and Hi Country Salvage. Clearing and grubbing work will begin at anytime, with the date of bridge closing tentatively set for NO EARLIER THAN the week of March 24. The road will remain closed until project completion - which is estimated in MID-LATE June...

The Cherokee County Conservation Board knows that you have great pictures from the last time you visited a county park, so why not share them? The CCCB is sponsoring a photography contest open only to amateur photographers. Selected photos will be displayed in their rental facilities...

DES MOINES - Cherokee Washington High sophomore Kaely Hummel has been named to the Iowa Newspaper Association's Class 3A All-State Basketball Third Team, announced last week. Hummel averaged 19 points, five steals, five assists and five rebounds per game in 2013-1024 while leading Cherokee from her point guard position...