Community

Preserving the county’s history

A NEW SIGN AT THE DEPOT The Lyon County Historical Society hosted its annual meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Little Rock Town & Country Building. The meeting covered the effects of the flood at the Rock Rapids depot museum, an update from the Friends of Blood Run...

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Clover Kids registration opens Sept. 25

Registration for Lyon County’s 2024-25 Clover Kids program opens Sept. 25.Clover Kids is an Iowa Youth Development program provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Lyon County. Youth participants explore science, technology, healthy living,...

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Lester Friendly 4-Hers September meeting

Kayla Knoblock | Reporter The monthly meeting of the Lester Friendly 4-Hers was called to order by president, Angie Knapp. Roll call was called and there were 27 members present. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were given. We then discussed new business which...

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Farm Safety Day at West Lyon

Emma Evans | Reporter On Sept. 19, West Lyon FFA had its annual Farm Safety Day for fifth graders. At the event, students got to learn about how they can stay safe on the farm and what to do in case of an emergency. Students learned about ATV, lawnmower, animal, PTO,...

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Country Kids 4-H Club Meeting

Newly Elected Officers Pictured are the 2024-2025 Country Kids officers. From left to right, front row: Chris Eckardt, treasurer; Keegan Hoogendoorn, president; Sawyer Bakker, vice-president; back row: Kendra Van Regenmorter, secretary; Jessa Haahr, reporter. Not...

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American farmers need a five-year Farm Bill

4th district After years of inflation, high interest rates, increased energy costs, trade uncertainty and bureaucratic red tape, the outlook for the farm economy is bleak. U.S. farmers and producers continue to face drops in farm income, regulations like WOTUS still...

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Farm Safety Week

Q&A with U.S. Sentator Chuck Grassley Q: What’s the history behind Farm Safety Week?A: Since World War II, National Farm Safety Week is observed in September to boost public awareness before the harvest season gets fully underway. It’s one of the most dangerous...

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Homecoming Royalty Meet Their Subjects

Kiann Blomgren works in a classroom as part of her royalty duties during homecoming week. Olivia Feucht reads to preschool students during homecoming week. By Kyndra Gramstad Throughout this exciting week at West Lyon, the homecoming royalty went on some fun...

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The West Lyon Theater Department presents The Wizard of Oz

By Opal Niemeyer The West Lyon theater department is excited to announce their fall musical The Wizard of Oz, occurring on October 31st and November 2nd at 7 PM in the Elementary Gym.Dorothy, played by Kiann Blomgren, and her dog Toto get swept away in a tornado from...

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Monarch Migration

On the tip of your nose After tagging a monarch butterfly, West Lyon student Taylor Bruggeman delicately places it on her nose before letting it fly free on its migration path. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Gotcha! Naturalist Emily Ostrander helps student Kenzie Koedam with...

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Spreading the word with waffles

A THUMB’S-UP MEAL From left to right, Nevaeh, Matt and Memphis Van Dyke enjoy waffles and sausages during the all-you-can-eat meal served at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood Tuesday night. The proceeds of the free-will donations for the meal were given to support...

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Uncovering the community’s unique stories

NEW STAFF WRITER AT REPORTER AND HERALD Amy Lyon of Rock Rapids has been hired as a staff writer at the Lyon County Reporter and the West Lyon Herald. Lyon started in this position Sept. 3. She enjoys writing and is excited to uncover the stories of community members...

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Granite hosts 32nd annual Swap Meet

This sign is posted right outside the unincorporated town of Granite where the two-day Swap Meet was held. Even though the sign says, “Population Low,” hundreds of people showed up for the event to look at antiques. (Photos/Bryan L. Valentine) This was just some of...

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Pipeline won’t capture all carbon emitted by ethanol plants

Joshua Haiar | Iowa Capital Dispatch A company proposing an $8 billion carbon dioxide pipeline through five states, including Iowa, says the project would be good for the environment.The claim is based on the heat-trapping carbon dioxide emitted by ethanol plants that...

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Taking Aim

Ready and Steady During an archery class at Lake Pahoja, Tia Palmer takes aim at her target, hoping she can strike the center. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Archery class offered at Lake Pahoja Tristan Taylor | Editor On Tuesday, Sept. 10, area kids gathered at Lake Pahoja...

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Inwood City Council talks with DGR, ICAP negotiations ongoing

Isaac Yeager | Staff Writer The Inwood City Council met on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 to discuss regular maintenance, a potential contract with DGR Engineering, the ongoing negotiations with ICAP (Iowa Communities Assurance Pool) and other matters of local government.A...

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Cross-country travels to Sibley

Junior Emersyn Rentschler strides it out for West Lyon at the Sibley-Ocheyedan Invitational. The younger Rentschler finished the meet in 25th place with a time of 24:42.87. (Photo/Andrew Buckman) Malison Rentschler works toward the finish line Tuesday, Sept. 10, in...

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Strengthening our strategic position against China

4th district For decades, China has threatened our national security through both overt and covert measures. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and affiliated individuals and entities have rapidly increased purchases of American farmland, stolen valuable intellectual...

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After 9/11, Vigilance Matters

U.S. Sentator Chuck Grassley Q: What comes to mind with the 9/11 anniversary this month?A: After 23 years, the unprecedented terrorist attacks on U.S. soil serve as a solemn reminder to all Americans. We must never forget the tragic loss of approximately 3,000 people...

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Don’t Learn Safety by Accident

KaraLynn Kuhn—Avera Physician Assistant Avera provider discusses farm safety Amy Lyon | Staff Writer This year’s farm safety theme is “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident” which reinforces the fact that workplace incidents are preventable. As someone who grew up on a farm...

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