30 years later, Hoeflings continue family tradition

For 30 years, Alan and Geralyn Hoefling have welcomed families to Hoefling’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, creating a fall destination filled with pumpkins, corn mazes and lasting memories.

For 30 years, families have made the trip to a rural crossroads south of Marcus each fall, returning for pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes and traditions that span generations. What began as a simple …

Foutch, city at war over stalled Wilson school redevelopment

Lawsuits, liens pile up over derelict school building Earlier this month, Shawn Foutch said the redevelopment of the Cherokee Wilson School into apartments is “dead.” Foutch told …

Lahn took questions from audience members after his speech. Here he speaks with Erin Smith of Storm Lake.

Lahn: polls ‘manufactured’ for Democrats

With two weeks until mid-term elections, Lahn confident Iowa will stay red Zach Lahn told Buena Vista County Republicans to pay no heed to polls showing Iowa Republicans lagging behind Democrats …

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird addresses MMCRU students during a visit to Marcus, encouraging them to stay safe online, avoid vaping and remain focused while driving. Students asked questions and shared concerns about social media and emerging apps.

Attorney General Bird discusses online safety, vaping and distracted driving

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird encouraged MMCRU students to think critically about their online activity, avoid dangerous vaping products and stay focused behind the wheel during presentations at …

Raven & Root Apothecary

Something curious is taking root in Cherokee, where an old-fashioned cabinet filled with teas, herbal remedies and natural wellness products will soon appear at 319 E. Cedar St., the home of Raven …

Interagency Collaboration Leads to Arrest in Investigation Involving Crimes Against Children

The Marcus Police Department remains committed to protecting children, addressing online threats, and promoting the safety of our youth. In October 2026, the department initiated an investigation in …

Voting Hours, Locations for 2026 Election

The Cherokee County Auditor’s Office reminds voters that the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for the General Election. Voters are asked to carefully …

DNR to eliminate invasive fish at Spring Lake in Cherokee County

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a chemical renovation for Spring Lake in Cherokee on Oct. 26. The project aims to restore the lake’s ecological health by eradicating …

Sioux Valley Family Health & Medical Aesthetics earns national recognition with Rising Star Award

What began as a commitment to providing advanced aesthetic care has led to national recognition for Sioux Valley Family Health & Medical Aesthetics, where owners Dr. Chris VandeLune and Lisa …

Aurelia Kiwanis October Yard of the Month

The Aurelia Kiwanis Yard of The Month sign for October was given to Bob and Ardiss Galvin. Their lawn is meticulously groomed both in the front and back of their home. The Galvins have showcased the …

Give me a little hiss

Watch out for this fellow along the Aurelia Walking Path! While quite harmless, he recently slithered into his place among the many other sculptures that are featured along the walkway. Among the …

Police and Courts

Over a decade in prison for vehicle thefts, probation violations

A Cherokee man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for stealing a Ford F-150 in July and violating the terms of his probation, which was entered for a theft of a Mercedes in February. JK …

E-Edition

Cherokee Chronicle Times 10-23-26

View this issue

Browse other issues

Ad Guide

Ad Guide October 2026

View this issue

More special sections

Find us on Facebook

Facebook

A cacophony of fear and lies

As we ramp up to the mid-term elections, MAGA candidates are pulling out all the stops. A church organist, who wants to envelope the space with overpowering sound, pulls selected knobs all the way …

Data center discussion deserves a bigger room

When a city plans something big, it should not check driver's licenses at the door. That is what happened Monday night in Woodward. The City Council cancelled its regular meeting and instead …

Making foreign policy great again

The United States is now involved, to varying degrees, in three hot wars: in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza/Palestine. We’re a principal party to the war with Iran, having initiated it in late February. …

Six key voting blocs hold executive and legislative balance of power

Modern election cycles easily dissolve into narrative noise, fueled by media echo chambers, superficial viral sound bites, controversial attack ads and candidate outrage. But beneath the headline …

Letters to the Editor: A vote for Dawson

I hope you all realize what an excellent candidate we have for U.S. House Representative of the 4th District in Dave Dawson. He was born and raised in rural Washta in a wonderful family. …

Friday Night Lights: Playoffs

MMCRU fell to West Monona 46-28 Cherokee lost to Spirit Lake 34-20 Ridge View lost to South Hardin 28-14

Braves sweep home win over Clarinda, move on to regional final

The Cherokee volleyball team hosted Clarinda for the Class 3A Region 7 semifinal on Thursday and swept the match for a 3-0 victory. The first set was close most of the way through until after a …

Cherokee Schools Schedule

Alta-Aurelia Sports Schedule

MMCRU Sports Schedule

South O'Brien Sports Schedule

Ridge View Sports Schedule

River Valley Sports Schedule

Ridge View’s Chavez, Hustedt, Alta-Aurelia’s DeMuth head to State

HOLSTEIN - The Ridge View, Alta-Aurelia, MMCRU and South O’Brien cross country teams competed in a Class 1A State Qualifying Meet in Holstein on Thursday where two Ridge View girls, Destiny Chavez …

Royals fight for 3-2 win over Wildcats in regional

MARCUS - The MMCRU volleyball team hosted West Lyon on Wednesday and took a close 3-2 victory to move on. After a 3-3 tie early on in the first set the Royals jumped out to a 9-4 lead. The …

Braves win first round of regional over Atlantic

The Cherokee volleyball team started the Class 3A Region 7 tournament at home on Tuesday and took a 3-0 win over visiting Atlantic to move on to the semifinal round. Cherokee jumped out to an …

Royals win at home over HMS to end regular season

MARCUS - The MMCRU football team hosted Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Friday and took a 42-13 victory over the Hawks to finish out the regular season. HMS got the ball to start the game, but we’re …

Raptors end regular season with home win over Rams

HOLSTEIN - The Ridge View football team hosted MVAOCOU on Friday and took a 33-6 win to finish out the regular season. Ridge View got on the board first with a 10 yard touchdown pass from senior …

Read more Sports

Darrell Nelson

Darrell E. Nelson, 84, of Cherokee passed away on Saturday morning, Oct. 17, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Aurelia. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church in …

Mary Larson

Mary Jane (Beeson) Larson, 79, passed away at Heartland Care Center in Marcus on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Visitation with the family present will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee on …

Darrell Curry

Darrell “Buzz” Lee Curry, the son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Heien) Curry was born Jan. 6, 1933, in Spencer. His childhood years were spent in the Spencer area, where he attended school and …

Donald Moore

Donald W. Moore, 90, of Cherokee passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 18, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Cherokee. It was Donald’s wish to be cremated and to have no formal services. Boothby …

Danny Ohlson

Danny Loy Ohlson passed away on Sept. 3, 2026, in Iowa City. He lived a life of curiosity, learning and adventure with the love of family and friends. Danny was born Feb. 16, 1947, in Cherokee, to …

More obituaries

Emery Jayde Morgan McClaren

Cyriana Pearson and Reid McClaren of Sutherland are thrilled to announce the birth of their new daughter, Emery Jayde Morgan McClaren. She was born on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at 2:13 a.m. Emery …

Henry Samuel Sebastian Evans

Olivia Evans of Cherokee is thrilled to announce the birth of her new son, Henry Samuel Sebastian Evans. He was born on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Henry weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 …

Waylon Jaxon Paulsrud

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 …

More Birth Announcements