Stories from Monday, June 16, 2014

Before wind energy developers come into a county or township to start prospecting and negotiating with landowners for easements to build wind energy infrastructure on private property, there's one claim they invariably make. County economic development officials and supervisors are assured that wind energy will bring in substantial property tax revenue to the county. Is their claim true?...

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau recently hosted its annual Ag Safety Day at the Cherokee Community Center in Cherokee. Topics for demonstrations this year included: Bike Safety, Fire Safety, Wheel of Misfortune, Bullying, Electric, Drug Dog, Lawn Mower, First Aid, Chemical Look Alike, Water, and Cherokee Emergency Management who did a program on tornadoes and thunderstorms for all the students...

Montiford & Mary Beck Doupe established a scholarship fund at Cherokee State Bank for graduating high school seniors from Cherokee County who plan to major in a medical-related field in college. This is the fifth year the scholarship has been awarded,and this year each of the recipients received a scholarship in the amount of $8,000. ...

CORRECTIONVILLE - The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) will offer a special presentation on "Freshwater Mussels" beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 at Little Sioux Park in Correctionville. Freshwater mussels can be found in many rivers and streams in Iowa. ...

Visiting Emmetsburg scored two runs on two errors in the eighth inning to pocket an 8-7 Lakes Conference baseball victory from a heart-broken Cherokee Braves club here Wednesday night. Cherokee's Adam Cedar got the hard-luck pitching loss in relief, allowing two unearned runs on twp walks and no hits in one inning of work. ...

At last week's Advisory Board Meeting in Cherokee, Western Iowa Tech Community College President Dr. Terry Murrell, right, discussed the college's new wind energy program to be located at the Cherokee Campus beginning in August. Listening tentatively are Dr. Darla Struck, left, Director of the Cherokee Campus and Northern Services Area, and Darin Moeller, WITCC Executive Dean of Instruction. Photo by Paul Struck...

SUTHERLAND - Get outdoors with your family. Many people just need a reason to stop and enjoy their surroundings...and here it is. The O'Brien County Conservation Board invites you to savor summer evening at one of our county's most beautiful parks. Pack a picnic supper and head to the shelter house at the top of the hill on Dog Creek South. On Thursday, June 26 beginning at 6 p.m., enjoy an evening picnic meal. The naturalist will be giving a short program on weather and clouds...

Pinterest enthusiasts, bakers, gardeners, photographers and crafters pick up your Cherokee County Fair book today. Family Craft Entry information can be found at all the county libraries, the extension office and the banks in the city of Cherokee. If you prefer you can find the information you need at www.cherokeecountyfair.org under the family crafts department. The county 4-Hers have a separate fair book this year...

It's all about the "green." Whether green makes you think of the environment, money, golf or 4-H, the Northwest Iowa 4-H Golf Benefit on June 20, 2014 has it covered. With "Going for the Green" as the theme of the event at Emerald Hills Golf Course at Arnolds Park, organizers will raise more than $60,000 to support Iowa 4-H programs, awards and events...

CALUMET - Plan now to attend the annual Iowa State University (ISU) Northwest Iowa Research Farm field day on Wednesday, June 25. The research farm is located south of Calumet in O'Brien County. ISU Extension and Outreach continues to anticipate Iowans' needs for their farms, families, businesses, and communities...

At last week's Council meeting, the City of Cherokee heard the "down" side of the proposed plan to reduce the goose population in the vicinity of the Cherokee Airport and Koser Spring Lake Park for safety and sanitary concerns. The City has requested the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for advice to reduce the goose population in the vicinity of the Cherokee City Airport and Koser Spring Lake Park...

Adam and Lisa Huebner of Cherokee are happy to announce the birth of their baby boy, born on May 28, 2014. Jax Todd Huebner was born at 1:55 p.m., weighed 6 lb. 11 oz. and measured 19 1/4 inches long. He was welcomed home by his brother Bode and his sister Delaina...

Greg and Julie Swanson of Sutherland are happy to announce the recent birth of their baby girl. Emily Claire was born at 7:55 a.m. on April 8, 2014. She weighed 7 lbs. 0 oz. and measured 19 1/2 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big brothers, Luke and Matthew...

Greg and Julie Swanson of Sutherland are happy to announce the recent birth of their baby girl. Emily Claire was born at 7:55 a.m. on April 8, 2014. She weighed 7 lbs. 0 oz. and measured 19 1/2 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big brothers, Luke and Matthew...

Matt and Andrea Wilson of Marcus are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl, who was born at 9:01 a.m. on June 1, 2014. Ariana Grace Wilson weighed 6 lb. 12 oz. and measured 18 1/2 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big brothers, Kolden and Korbin...

Matt and Andrea Wilson of Marcus are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl, who was born at 9:01 a.m. on June 1, 2014. Ariana Grace Wilson weighed 6 lb. 12 oz. and measured 18 1/2 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big brothers, Kolden and Korbin...

Tracy and Jennifer Huff of Cleghorn are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl , born on May 28, 2014. Addison Michelle Huff was born at 6:47 a.m., weighed 8 lb. 6 oz., measured 20 1/4 inches long, and was welcomed home by her big brother, Treton...

Cody and Rachel Lucas of Cherokee are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl, who was born at 5:32 p.m. on June 2, 2014. Mia Mae Lucas weighed 7 lb. 4 oz. and measured 20 inches long, and she was welcomed home by her big sister, Emerson. Grandparents are Mike and Deb Halder and Dan and Janet Lucas, all of Cherokee...

We should all pause to give thanks, and perhaps say a prayer, for the many dedicated emergency responders who lay their lives on the line in the face of threatening weather in Midwestern springs and summers. And that includes our dedicated City and County employees, who courageously charge into the fray on short notice to do their best to clean up the aftermath...

I have been a fan of the "Triple Crown" of 3 -year - old thoroughbred horse racing ever since Secretariat galloped to the first Triple Crown in 25 years back in 1973, smashing records along the way. The Triple Crown, for the uninitiated, consists of three races - one in Kentucky, one in Maryland and one in New York- run over a six week period i May and June each year. ...

PAULLINA - The South O'Brien baseball team played Gehlen Catholic in a War Eagle Conference game Monday night, in a game that had been scheduled to be played in Granville, but was moved to Paullina because the Granville field had too much water. The team's next matchup will be played in Granville. A very good Gehlen team won Monday's game by a score of 7-1...

PAULLINA - The South O'Brien and West Sioux baseball teams tangled in a War Eagle Conference contest here on Wednesday and both teams exhibited great defense and pitching as South O'Brien pulled out a 4-1 win. The game that was called in the bottom of the sixth the due to lightning. ...

ALTA - The 10th - ranked Alta-Aurelia girls won their eighth straight game here on Thursday with a four inning 13-1 non-conference win over Clay Central-Everly. Jenna Snyder picked up the win for the Warriors, who are now 9-1, pitching four innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out four and issuing no walks...