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Turner back at the helm at MHI, CCUSO

Cory Turner has been reinstalled as superintendent of the Cherokee Mental Health Institute and Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders.  Danielle Sample, the Iowa Department of Health and …

DNR to zap Spring Lake with Rotenone this fall

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is renovating Spring Lake’s fishery in Cherokee, which was clouded with turbidity and infested with rough fish as a result of the 2024 floods.  Fisheries Biologist …
Nature and Jermaine Decker with their children, in front: Cash and JB, and back: ZaKara and October, and Nature’s first book “Being Different Doesn't Mean Less.”
Nature Decker, a 2009 Cherokee Washington High School grad, released her second children’s book, “Halloween Is For Everyone” on Oct. 7, based on her non-verbal son, Cash. Her books are part of …
Cherokee State Hospital’s entry is extremely clever, with its “Group Scare-apy” patients and a CMHI staff member overseeing them. 96.
Voting continues in the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce annual scarecrow contest. There are 22 of them set up around town and they’re in a race to see who can get the most likes, comments and shares …

Locals on Briar Cliff homecoming court

Cherokee Washington High School alumni Harper Benson (right) and Kenna Mongan took time out for a photograph during Briar Cliff University's Homecoming coronation ceremonies last week. Benson and …
Cherokee County Emergency Management Coordinator Justin Pritts, left, receives the Cherokee County Lifesaver Award from Cherokee County Sheriff Derek Scott during a recent ceremony at the Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center. Pritts was one of four individuals recognized for their role in the successful rescue of a missing person in August.

Cherokee County Coordinator receives Lifesaver Award for rescue efforts

When emergencies strike, Justin Pritts is often among those coordinating the response behind the scenes. That commitment to public safety was recognized recently when the Cherokee County emergency …

Western Iowa Tech Community celebrates anniversary

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Cherokee WIT Campus’s 30th anniversary, West- ern Iowa Tech’s 60th anniversary, and the arrival of our new president, Dr. Terry Lindsay. We …

Braves Special Olympics Bowling Team

The Special Olympics Bowling team had their area competition in SIoux City. Our 5th-12th grade students delivered an outstanding performance at their October 2nd bowling competition, earning seven …

Washington High School Class of 2001 celebrates 25-year reunion

Members of the Washington High School Class of 2001 gathered Sept. 25-26 to celebrate their 25-year class reunion with a weekend of fellowship and memories. The celebration began with a tailgating …
Police and Courts

County attorney seeks guardianship of ‘financially vulnerable’ octogenarian

The Cherokee County Attorney sought emergency protective services for an elderly Cherokee woman and landlord due to concerns of “vulnerability to financial exploitation.”  County …

Defective concrete work

A Cherokee man sued a Waukee cement contractor for installing a $22,000 hard surface driveway at his property in the 4800 mile of Highway 59 in Cherokee.  Kelsey Bauerly Langel, a Le Mars …

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Opinion
Editorials: Corporate welfare
The Republicans running things announced last week that they are locating a $15 billion steel mill in Southeast Iowa, near Keokuk and Fort Madison in hard-pressed Lee County. Knowing next to nothing …
Knock-knock is hard for introverts
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart came to Storm Lake on October 3 to inspire volunteers who are working to get out the vote. Canvassing strategies in the past have focused on visiting the party …
Rick Morain
Is our vote for sale?
Election analyst Nate Silver says the outlook for the Nov. 3 general election strongly favors Democratic candidates. But he adds that Republicans have one major advantage: money. Will that be …
State Senator Lynn Evans
Capitol Letters: Right decision for Iowa
Iowa took a decisive step toward the largest private investment in our state’s history. This special session was called for one purpose: to make limited, targeted updates to the Major Economic …
Iowa weather and politics are extreme
Crazy extremes. You drive through fog and drizzle — Dude, slow down! Sister, turn your headlights on! — to slop through mud at the Iowa Lakeside Lab on West Lake Okoboji. How long have we been …
Sports

Braves rush for 369 yards in homecoming win over Nighthawks

The Cherokee football team hosted Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley for the Braves’ homecoming game on Friday and took a 28-21 victory. Cherokee got the ball to start and after a long ground-and-pound …

Friday Night Lights: Week 6

Cherokee won their homecoming over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 28-21 Alta-Aurelia fell 53-14 to Lawton-Bronson MMCRU took down Gehlen Catholic 27-14 Ridge View lost 48-7 to West Lyon …

Warriors score late in home loss to Eagles

AURELIA - The Alta-Aurelia football team hosted Lawton-Bronson on Friday, but the Eagles held the Warriors scoreless through the first three quarter for a 53-14 win. The Eagles started strong …

Royal football takes home win over Gehlen Catholic

MARCUS - The MMCRU football team hosted Gehlen Catholic on Friday and took a 27-14 victory to pick up another district win. The Royals struck first with a touchdown in the first quarter for a …

Raptors fall to second-ranked Wildcats

INWOOD - The Ridge View football team traveled to take on Class 1A #2-ranked West Lyon on Friday where the host Wildcats took the win at 48-7. West Lyon started strong with 14 points in the …

Obituaries
Mike Schwarz
Mike Schwarz, 67, of Marcus passed away from natural causes on Sept. 30, 2026, at his home. A visitation and vigil prayer service were held Monday, Oct. 5, at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument, …
Mike Kennedy
Mike Kennedy was born on Dec. 23, 1942, in Cherokee to Gertrude and Dewey Kennedy. He lost his dad at the age of five and was raised by a strong and faithful mother that taught him the importance of …
Donald Gaskill
Donald E. Gaskill, 77, of Meriden passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at St. Luke's Unity Point in Sioux City. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Immaculate Conception …
James Clabaugh
James R. “Jim” Clabaugh, 89, of Cherokee passed away at his home on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Memorial services will be Monday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at Boothby Funeral Home Cherokee. Pastor Mike …
Roger Dreier
Roger R. Dreier, 74, of Aurelia passed away on Oct. 6, 2026, at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City. Funeral services will be on Friday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran …
Births
Anna and Alex Paulsrud of Cleghorn are thrilled to announce the birth of their new son, Waylon Jaxon Paulsrud. He was born on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at 12:45 a.m. Waylon weighed 7 pounds, 15 …
Amie and Dominick Anderson of Aurelia are thrilled to announce the birth of their new son, Blake Michael Anderson. He was born on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:20 p.m. Blake weighed 7 pounds, 0 …
Tiffany and Tyler Nelson of Hornick are thrilled to announce the birth of their new son, Tracey Layne Nelson. He was born on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 1:08 p.m. Tracey weighed 7 pounds, 8 …