Stories from Friday, August 26, 2016

The Aug. 13 incident that triggered racial violence in Milwaukee does not appear to be a rational basis for violence or even for protest, but the long-simmering racial hostility in Milwaukee did not need a valid reason to boil over. According to official reports, police were pursuing an armed black suspect who was subsequently identified as Sylville Smith. Smith, holding a gun, stopped and turned toward the police. A black police officer shot and killed Smith...

Soap Box Derby - Racers near the finish line of the Soap Box Derby on Main Street in Cherokee on June 23, 1953. The race was open to boys ages 11-15. There were 35 boys who raced in 1953, and the the Chamber of Commerce reported it was watched by a crowd of 8,500 people...

I was out partying with Lyin' Rochte and a couple of his swimming buddies the other night and they got so drunk I could hardly see them. As is his wont, Lyin' insisted on buying the rounds because he was making so much money with all his endorsement deals and Olympic fame. I just went along for the ride even though I figured he was doing nothing more than buying friends because he didn't have too many legit buddies...

County Engineer Brandon Billings proposed to the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors at their Aug.23 meeting that new speed limits be established outside of Washta and Quimby. Currently, east bound traffic on C-66 goes from a 55 mph highway speed limit into a school zone with a 15 mph limit...

Susan Avenue in Cherokee was temporarily extended one block from South Craig to Valley View Dr. to accommodate traffic during the Roosevelt St. repaving project this summer. City Administrator Sam Kooiker and Public Works Director Armond Rider had discussed a plan, subsequently presented to the Cherokee City Council, to keep the street extension open and to eventually pave it and install curb and gutter when funds are available...

Harold K. Stange of Holstein, age 77, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 2: p.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein, with the Rev. ...

IDA GROVE - The Alta-Aurelia girls played their first volleyball match of the season here Tuesday against Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove, and the Warriors came away with a 3-0 win, with game scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-14. Lauren Rohwer had 14 kills to lead A-A, and Erin Lockin and Laney Stanton each had nine. ...

Gov. Terry Branstad is still pushing his plan to divert 3/8 of the revenue from a one cent sales tax earmarked for school infrastructure and equipment into a fund to deal with the state's water quality. Funds must be raised for water quality projects, but not at the expense of school funding that was approved by voters...

Lyle and Lorene Letsche of Cherokee will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a come- and- go open house at the Cherokee Community Center on Sunday, September 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The couple request no gifts. Greetings may be sent to:
Lyle and Lorene Letsche
; 300 Sequoia DR; 
Cherokee, IA 51012...

Bomgaar's in Cherokee donated $1,500 in equipment toward a goal of $8,000 to get the Ag program restarted this year at Washington High School. Hannah Hilsabeck is teaching the class this year and a Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter is expected to be started next year. ...

Stuart and Colleen Smith of Cherokee are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, August 27. Stuart Smith and Colleen Nipp were married August 27, 1966 at Assumption Catholic Church in Merrill, Iowa. Rev. Mason was the officiant. The couple have two children, Michael and his wife Carrie of Sedalia, Missouri and Stacia of Denver, Colorado; and three grandchildren - Maia, Reuben and Shea Smith...

This week marks the nationwide release of "First Catch," an endearing new book by author Denny Taylor of Cherokee. Have you ever wanted to share that special memory you made with your grandchildren? If you love a story that will make you feel good, "First Catch" is for you! This story is about Taylor's dog, Buddy; his two grandsons; and how Buddy helps them to find their first fish...

The Hippie Hustle 5k Walk/Run is seeking some Hippies to join the fun on Saturday, October 1st, 2016 at 8 a.m. This fun run event starts on Main Street in Peterson, Iowa, and benefits CAASA (Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault). Medals will be presented to the 1st-3rd male and female winners, along with a prize for the BEST DRESSED!!...

Central Bank recently presented a $50,000 donation to the Sanford Museum and Planetarium toward a major renovation that will include a new projector that will be state of the art equipment unlike any other projector in Iowa. Present were (front) Chuck Wulfsen of Central Bank, Kerisa Pingel of the Sanford Museum and Kent Lundquist, Sanford Museum Trustee, Pam Pierce, Sanford Museum Trustee and Michele Deiber Kumm of the Sanford Museum; (back) Chris Jenness of Central Bank, Becky Baker of Central Bank, Sheila Trapp of Central Bank, Linda Burkhart of Sanford Museum, Megan Stroh of Sanford Museum and Jim Mohn, Sanford Museum Trustee.. ...

Nathan and Katie Johnson of Holstein are happy to announce the birth of their baby boy on August 18, 2016. Leland Andrew Johnson was born at 5:33 p.m., weighed 7 lb. 3 oz. and measured 20 inches long. He was welcomed home by his big brother, Marshall...

Starting a business can sound like a gigantic task, but the truth is, it's not. Getting your business set up is really just making sure you have "all the boxes checked". Here we have broken these tasks down into categories to help you get started on your newest venture...