Stories from Monday, December 12, 2016

Back in 1964, my buddy Dave and I were in junior high (that’s what they called 7th and 8th grades back then), and we were absolutely obsessed with this new rock ‘n’ roll group from England called the Beatles (you may have heard of them). We bought all their records (those were round, black vinyl things that spun on a turntable at either 33 1/3 or 45 revolutions per minute, depending on whether the record was a “single” or “album”), and Dave, who was much more artistic than I, even drew the “Peanuts” comic strip characters with “Beatle haircuts.”. ...

As default president-elect Donald Trump fearlessly continues storming the Bastille with hasty, eye-popping cabinet appointments, this unchained demagogue also continues eviserating the “national media” at every wretched turn of his vindictive screw...

CHEROKEE - Cherokee hosted a double dual wrestling match with Alta-Aurelia and Emmetsburg Thursday, and the E’Hawks defeated both of the Cherokee County teams, while the Braves got the better of the Warriors in their dual. Braves’ Coach Austin Todd commented, “I am proud of the effort and energy put into tonight. ...

Dale Martin Sleezer Sr., 96 of rural Aurelia, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 9, 2016 at Accura Health Care in Cherokee. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 13th, at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, with Rev. ...

(Editor's note: the Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival will take place at various venues around the city on January 20 and 21. Following is a summary of the history of the CJBF. For an excellent - and much more complete - history, please see the CJBF website at cherokeejazzbluesfestival.com)...

The Marcus Hometown Christmas will be held on Dec 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Activities include: Sleigh Rides sponsored by WesTel; Chili Feed at Marcus Fire Station; Heartland Auxiliary Bake Sale at Marcus Fire Station; Festival of Trees at Community Center; Kids Merchant Mall at Community Center; Santa Claus and goodie bags at Community Center (sponsored by First Trust); Bake Sale at Community Center, Marcus Chamber; Cement Planters decorated by business owners with Christmas decor; Carolers and Live Nativity Scene by Grace United Methodist Church on Main Street; Outdoor Music played by Ames Body Shop; Lighting Contest (winners announced on Dec 16); Treasure Chest.. ...

The Cherokee Industrial Corporation has donated $50,000 toward an extensive Sanford Museum and Planetarium renovation project that includes a new projector for the planetarium. Sanford Museum Trustees, museum staff members and CIC board members gathered at the museum recently to acknowledge the CIC donation. ...

PRIMGHAR - “There's a lot of process to come. This public hearing is the very first step in a number of steps. I rarely see the initial hearing result in final decisions for the project. It's too much information for the landowners to soak up, and for the Board and the engineer. It's too much to do all at once,” concluded Drainage District (DD) #5 attorney Jim Hudson after an informative Q & A session at the Nov. 29 O'Brien County supervisors meeting...