Stories from Friday, March 3, 2017

As we first proposed a few years ago, we still think the time is right for the Cherokee School District to change the name of Cherokee Washington High School (WHS) to, simply and pleasantly, Cherokee High School (CHS). That’s what this community properly decided when we built the new Cherokee Middle School several years ago, even after several reputable names were bandied about as possible namesakes for the new junior high educational facility...

Did it not feel like spring break on the brief reprieve week or so ago? Not so much anymore! But this too shall pass. In everyone’s life a little rain (nay, snow!) shall fall. As we look forward to spring (please, oh, please come soon!), I have been planning some indoor fun things to do here at the library...

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Administrator Sam Kooiker presented the proposed FY17-18 budget and reported that all general fund budgets with the exception of the library have been cut 2% per Council request. The projected general fund cash balance is $221,662 and the proposed tax levy is $16.14 per $1,000 valuation, the same as the current year. The projected general fund cash balance is the highest in several years, according to Kooiker...

Ronda Kay Kroll of Galva, age 64, passed away peacefully at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 03, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Galva, with Rev. Paul D. Egger officiating, and burial will follow at the Galva Township East Cemetery of Galva. ...

Dustin Courtright and Samantha Eberly of Cherokee announce the birth of their baby girl, who was born on February 23, 2017. Kaidence Lea Courtright was born at 5:35 p.m., weighed 6 lb. 11 oz., and measured 20 3/4 inches long. Grandparents are Chris Courtright of Cherokee, Heidi Courtright of Storm Lake, Larry Eberly of Estherville, and Melissa Eberly of Cherokee...

Kendra Peters and Derek Conklin of Storm Lake announce the birth of their baby girl, born on February 21, 2017. Lilian Grace Conklin was born at 10:37 a.m., weighed 6 lb. 6 oz., and measured 18 inches long.

Anna Belle McKenzie of Cherokee, 85, passed way Tuesday morning, February 28, 2017 in the Cherokee Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 4th, at 3 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, with Rev. Cris Decious officiating, and burial will be in the Cedar Cemetery at Larrabee. ...

DES MOINES - The #5 Cherokee Washington High School girls needed a big fourth quarter against #4 Crestwood Tuesday to keep their dream of winning a state championship alive. The gritty Braves were able to score 26 points in the final quarter to move on to the Class 3A semi-fianls with a 70-61 victory over the Cadets, who simply tuckered out in the final minutes due to the frenetic pace of play engineeered by the hustling Cherokee club...

The annual Cherokee County Pheasants Forever Banquet is Saturday, March 18, at the Cherokee Western Iowa Tech Community College Conference Center on Victory Dtive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

AURELIA - The Aurelia Commercial Club will hold its annual Kick-Off Dinner at the Aurelia Community Center on Thursday, March 16. The social hour will start at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Cost of the meal is $15 per person and will consist of broasted chicken, broasted pork shop, cheesy hashbrowns, sweet and sour green beans, roll, Oreo salad, past salad, lemonade and coffee...

Cherokee Knights Of Columbus members Jeff Wilson and Mike Letsche prepare the fryers for the annual Lent Fish Fries to be held at the VFW Club on March 10th, 24th and 31st. Photo contributed

The Cherokee Board of Education at last week’s February meeting discussed several pending 2018 facility projects and established Monday, April 3 as the District’s Public Hearing for the 2017-2018 Budget. Also, the Board approved the resignations of Cherokee Middle School Principal Neil Phipps; Scott Koch as Activities Director, CMS social Studies instructor, and assistant football coach; Nursing Director Julie Paulsen; and freshman baseball coach Josh Landhuis...

AURELIA - The Cherokee County Pork Producers will host the 4th annual “Bite of Pork” Bamquet Night Saturday, March 11, in the Aurelia Community Center. The popular cooking contest, featuring the area’s best pork recipes, include a Judge’s Choice Winner ($200 cash and $200 in pork certificates), and a People’s Choice Winner ($200 cash and $200 in pork certificates). In addition, all contestants receive $50 in pork certificates...