Stories from Monday, March 23, 2015

On February 15 of this year, Iraq War veteran Richard Miles entered a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Des Moines and told the staff: "I need help," according to hospital records obtained through an investigation by CNN. Miles had a history of PTSD, including attempted suicide. but on February 15, the VA hospital simply gave him medication and sent him away...

March 21 - Patti Carlson of Cherokee March 23 - Dan Shueder of Cherokee

This year's series of Sermons a la Carte at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee will conclude this Wednesday, March 25th, with Pastor Larry Ostercamp of Meriden Evangelical Free Church presenting the sermon, entitled "What Wondrous Love Is This?"...

"The Road to the Cross in Music and Meditation" will be the theme of a special Good Friday service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. The service will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday April 3rd, and will feature Dr. Linda A. Sharp as guest organist. The service will provide the opportunity for worshipers to participate in singing and listening to the special music, as well as to meditate and reflect on the events and meaning of Holy Week...

Denny Rehder, historian, author, lecturer, songwriter, singer and musician, presented a program that combined songs and an informative lecture at the Sanford Museum on March 14. This was the 95th program on the history of the railroads in Iowa that Rehder has presented across the state. The title "Grass Between the Rails" is not only the title of his presentation, it is also the title of a book he wrote and the title of one of the songs he wrote and performed at the Sanford Museum...

There was good attendance at two Cherokee venues Thursday evening for a benefit event for the family of the late Wayne Morris.

Several area businesses have donated numerous items for a Saturday, March 28, fundraising auction on behalf of Jay Siefken and his family. Jay was diagnosed with cancer in January. The event will be held at the Spring lake Yacht Club at Koser Spring Lake Park in Cherokee from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will include a meal of taverns, cowboy beans, potato salad and cole slaw, all for a free will donation...

The Connections Area Agency on Aging, the five counties served by that organization and similar organizations across the state are observing the annual Champion's March for Meals, enlisting mayors and other public officials to promote the Congregate Meals program...

Nicole Bond and Tim Jones of Cherokee are happy to announce the birth of their baby boy on March 16, 2015. Bennett Lee Jones was born at 4:27 p.m., weighed 8 lb. 2 oz. and measured 20 inches long. He was welcomed home by his brother, Bryar, and his sister, Myah...

Jennifer Miller of Cherokee is happy to announce the birth of her daughter, Hadley Grace Miller, who was born at 7:40 a.m. on March 16, 2015. Hadley weighed 8 lb. 5 oz. and measured 21 inches long.

Jason and Sara Kohn of Cherokee are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl on March 3,2015. Katie Ann Kohn was born at 11:05 a.m., weighed 7 lb. 11 oz., and measured 19 1/2 inches long. She was welcomed home by her four brothers - Jacob, Adam, Tyler and Ryan- and her sister, Kelsee. Grandparents are Mike and Joyce Bechtel, Joe Kohn and Joyce Kohn, all of Cherokee...