Stories from Monday, November 16, 2015

HOLSTEIN - Ridge View senior Keely Soellner recently signed her letter of intent to swim at Iowa State University next fall. Keely, the daughter of Brian and Rae Soellner of Galva, swam with the Storm Lake Tornadoes the past four seasons, and she also swims with Ames Cyclone Aquatic Club in Fort Dodge...

One of my favorite musicians, Allen Toussaint, a legendary songwriter, producer, arranger and performer hailed by musicians and fans worldwide as one of the most influential figures in New Orleans music, died of a heart attack last Monday while on tour in Europe. He was 77...

Many of us need to be more active all year, but we especially tend to become sedentary during the winter. We can't let the weather keep us indoors, at least when it's not raining and not below zero. Get outside and do things - and get the kids outdoors too. It will make the winter a lot less dreary if we don't give in to it...

"The richest and fullest lives attempt to achieve an inner balance between three realms: work, love and play." -- Erik Erikson, renowned psychoanalyst. Erik Erikson, developmental psychology pioneer and researcher clearly states the importance as well as the need for balance in our busy lives. ...

The Friends of the Library have assembled numerous gift baskets that will be on display at the Cherokee Library until the silent auction ends on Saturday, Dec. 5 at noon. The library hosted the Friday Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Coffee to show off the variety of baskets, each assembled with a book that sets the theme for the basket and an assortment of colorful items. ...

Marcus Mayor Gary Husman and Marcus City Councilman Carl Nelson made comments last week during an urban renewal plan hearing at the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors meeting. The focus of the urban renewal plan is a possible paving project extending three miles from the Little Sioux Corn Processors ethanol plant...

The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the Celebrity Scrooge Contest. This year's Celebrity Scrooge will kick off the Lighted Christmas Parade, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3. Four Chamber members have been nominated as scrooge contenders, but the public will have the final say as to which of these community members will have the honor of being Grand Marshal during the Lighted Christmas Parade...

The Ridge View Middle School mock trial team has made it to the state competition and will be competing in Des Moines on Nov. 16-18. The case this year is a criminal case involving a death and a drunk boat driver. The students are: (front row) Jordan Grothe, Jade Coggins and Kylie Humlicek; (back row) Ben Todd, Jacob Brinkman, Logan Blum, Alex Movall, Tate Phillips and Connor Pickhinke. Coaches are Denise Pickhinke, Kristal Phillips and Mary Hamilton...

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn will meet Don Bosco of Gilbertville for the Class 8 Man State Football championship at 10 a.m. on Thursday November 19th in the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. Here are a few photos from MMC's semi-final win over Glidden-Ralston.