Stories from Wednesday, November 21, 2018

In the annual audit, Winthler, Stave & Co., LLP reported that the City’s receipts totaled $8,310,742 for the year ended June 30, 2018, a 42% decease from 2017. The receipts included $3,320,194 in property and other City taxes, $1,505,383 from grants and contributions, $2,967,300 charges for services, $35,007 in interest on investments, and $482,858 from other sources...

At last week’s City Council meeting, it was reported that former City Administrator Don Eikmeier had submitted a proposal for his recruitment services to assist the City fill the City Administrator position vacancy. Eikmeier, who retired from the position in 2015, submitted a proposal that includes conducting individual interviews with employees and others in the community to identify the City’s priorities regarding the position, as well as determining desired characteristics and strengths, preparing materials and advertising for potential candidates, review of applications, and being involved with the selection committee. ...

The annual Lip Sync hosted by the Washington High School Speech Club collected $3,000 in donation for local food pantries and the Drug Endangered Children Fund at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office. Another packed house filled the Cherokee Auditorium at the high school for a fun filled night of entertaining acts by students, faculty and parents...

A busy and happy group of kids and adults shared in decorating the many colorful Christmas Trees on display beginning Friday at the Cherokee Sanford Museum’s Festival of Trees. Photo contributed

The beauty and wonder of a full harvest moon shines over the recently completed 4-laned U.S. Highway 20 near Holstein this week. The road will be filled with Thanksgiving holiday travelers all week. Happy Thanksgiving to one an all! Photo by Anne Andresen...

Alyn  Thomas  Ritts, 73, of Washta, Iowa passed away suddenly, Thursday evening, November 15, 2018 at his home in Washta.   Funeral services were held on Monday, November 19th, at 2 p.m. at the Washta United Methodist Church. Pastor Barb Dinelli officiated. ...

For the 23rd consecutive year, Cherokee Regional Medical Center Hospice will have lighted Christmas trees in Cherokee, Marcus, Aurelia and Holstein during the holiday season. These trees are a special way of remembering your friends and loved ones. You may help light the trees through a tax-deductible donation of any size. ...

The Blooming House recently vised Mrs. Laursen's First Grade Classroom at
Roosevelt Elementary School.  They read stories and did crafts about fall
leaves, Thanksgiving, and being thankful.  This is part of the Partnership
in Excellence program...

Of all the things we can be thankful for this Thanksgiving, we can’t forget the President and all he has done for every (to use his own words) horsefaced, fat, pigs, ugly, slobs, dogs Americans. And that’s just for the women. Uh, Mr. President, take a gander at your Pulling Guard Press Secretary - that Sanders person. You either run with Sasquatch or you run from Sasquatch...

On December 11, residents of the River Valley Community School District will vote on a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) in a special election. A PPEL is different than a bond issue or referendum in that it generates funds that a school district may only use for specific purposes, including infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases and improvements...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The snow is falling, the temperatures are below freezing, my car makes a really weird noise when it starts up. Okay, maybe that stuff isn’t wonderful, BUT let me tell you what is. IT’S BASKET SEASON! Yes, basket season. ...

Rich and Peggy Hinkhouse, owners of the Brightside Lounge here, will be host a benefit on Saturday to raise money for the planned renovation of Cherokee’s high school baseball field. The ongoing project, dubbed “Kenny Bern Field Project” involves renovation of the current high school diamond and renaming the facility after longtime Cherokee supporter Kenny Bern...

Cherokee senior Kassidy Pingel recently signed a letter of intend and announced her plans to attend Upper Iowa and play basketball for the Peacocks. Pingel, a four-year starter for the Braves, is one of the team’s leaders going into this season ranked fourth in pre-season polls. (Photo Contributed)...

Cherokee senior Kassidy Pingel recently signed a letter of intend and announced her plans to attend Upper Iowa and play basketball for the Peacocks. Pingel, a four-year starter for the Braves, is one of the team’s leaders going into this season ranked fourth in pre-season polls. (Photo Contributed)...