Stories from Friday, June 12, 2020

After months of facility renovation and installation of state-of-the-art equipment and technology totaling more than $80 million, Lopez Foods of Cherokee will begin “full scale” operations next week, according to President/CEO John Patrick Lopez. “We have passed all inspections (USDA) and will begin full scale production starting next week,” said Lopez Wednesday. “We are producing some product this week but it’s really to prepare for operations next week...

At the recent Cherokee County Board if Supervisors meeting, Emergency Management Director Justin Pritts and IT Director Stu Hogg discussed opening the courthouse to the public on June 15th, with Driver’s License Services still open by appointment only (225-2770). Courthouse hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri...

Phyllis L. Smith, age 88, of Sheldon, Iowa who passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at the Cobble Creek Homes in Sheldon, Iowa.  Her Funeral Service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. Kevin Gingerich ~ officiating...

The Iowa State Fair Board, the governing body who oversees the Iowa State Fair, today voted to postpone the 2020 Iowa State Fair until August 12-22, 2021, amid ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. The decision was made to protect the health and safety of all Fairgoers...

Unless otherwise changed by Governor proclamation, as of 8 a.m. today, nearly every restriction on Iowa restaurants and bars has been lifted other than 6 feet of social distance between tables and/or individuals (bar seating), and every customer must still have their own chair, with group size limited and monitored by the proprietor...

ALTA - A quick glance at the 2020 Alta-Aurelia’s baseball roster reveals vast experience at key positions back from a team that finished 17-10 and missed a return trip to the state tourney, losing in extra innings to Hinton in a district final. In 2018 the Alta-Aurelia Warriors played in the state tourney for the fourth time in school history. In 2019 the Warriors missed the state mark by just two games...

Michael Herwig, a multi-sports standout at Washington High School and a senior to be at Buena Vista College, is offering “Sports Training Lessons” available for area youth. Herwig, a member of the BV football squad, says now is the time to prepare for fall football as he offers lessons focused on speed, agility, footwork and conditioning preparation...