Features

Snowflakes in the air

Cold Work | City crews from Larchwood are pictured cleaning up snow from the streets and sidewalks of their cities. They had plenty of snow to keep them busy throughout the first half of the week. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Season’s first sizeable snowfall in Lyon County...

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Evening in the spotlight

You’re Gonna Like It Here The Musical Theatre group performed a medley of songs from “Annie” during the Speech Showcase. Front Row: Erica Meendering, Sophia Niemeyer, Cooper Carolan and Marlene Duenas. Back Row: Ava Van Dyke and Chloe Klarenbeek. (Photo/Tristan...

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Community discusses new recreational center in Larchwood

New Location The proposed area for where the new recreational center in Larchwood would sit, as voted on by the city council. It would be built within the southeast quadrant of the park, adding in 78 new parking spots as well. Tristan Taylor | Editor On Monday, Feb....

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Learning With Chocolate

Creativity Comes to Life Emma Wordekemper and Callie McKenney, students in the pre-4-H program Clover Kids, proudly display the chocolate machines they designed for this month’s session. They and their fellow Clover Kids created machines to move a piece of chocolate 3...

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Warming hearts and ‘soles’

EVERY SOLE DESERVES A SOCK Megan Klapperich, PA-C at Avera, holds some socks that have been donated for the second-annual sock drive organized by Avera’s Community Engagement Committee and the wound care program at Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital of Rock...

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A stack of smiles

Lester Friendly 4-Hers serve up pancakes and tradition Amy Lyon | Staff Writer The Lester Community Center was a hub of activity Friday, Feb. 7, during the Lester Friendly 4-Hers annual pancake supper. The sweet smell of pancakes greeted families galore along with...

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A Natural Fit

New Face at Pahoja Dayton Buntjer of Little Rock was recently hired as naturalist with Lyon County Conservation. She officially starts her new job Feb. 10, and plans to host a Coffee with Conservation program Feb. 18. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Tristan Taylor | Editor A...

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Honored for environmentalism

Award Winner Inwood farmer, Mike Ver Steeg, received the 2024 Iowa Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award at this year’s Iowa Pork Congress. (Photo/Submitted) Tristan Taylor | Editor Local farmer, Mike Ver Steeg, was recently honored at the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress....

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Choosing to be better, not bitter

Author Talks Michelle Cowan, Sioux County resident and author of “Better Not Bitter,” spoke in Inwood last week about her journey of grief and forgiveness, and listening to the individual journeys of community members. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Iowa author visits Inwood...

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Close up with history

Ready for the Big Event | The group of West Lyon students attending the inauguration watch party in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by Close Up, an organization that gets kids close-up to the government. Left to right: Miles Christiansen, Jackson Doorneweerd,...

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Looking back and ahead

Inside the collapse The northern end of the Inwood gym following its roof collapse in 2023. (Photo/Submitted) Two-year anniversary of Inwood gym roof collapse Tristan Taylor | Editor On Jan. 28, 2023, at approximately 7:15 p.m., part of the roof over the Inwood...

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Icy Afternoon

Sea of Tents | With Lake Pahoja frozen solid, ice fishing tents dotted the lake this past weekend with families coming out to participate in some ice fishing together. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Winners Marcus Kock (left) won the Kids Ice Fishing Day prize for biggest...

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A day in the life of an economic development director

HELPING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT LYON COUNTY Jen Smit has been director of the Lyon County Economic Development for just over a year, beginning Jan, 1, 2024. Her daily tasks include establishing and maintaining relationships with existing business, industry, governmental and...

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Let’s go to the Library

Open House Larchwood Public Library hosted an open house Saturday, Jan. 11, so show off its many updates and renovations. Pictured are several members of the library board and employees along with Sen. Jeff Taylor. Front Row: Sylvia Vant Hul and Cindy Van Voorst. Back...

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Baked goods and Saturday socializing

A new kind of club The Bakery in Larchwood is starting a new Bake Club, bringing community members together while decorating fresh-baked goods. Pictured is an example of February’s Valentine’s Day painted cookies.(Photo/Submitted Kelly Lynch) The Bakery to start new...

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Making a zoo

TEAMWORK AND CREATIVITY West Lyon third-grader Carlee Dieters, left, and second-grader Frances Metzger display their zoo entrance sign they made for their Lego zoo at Clover Kids Jan. 7. The girls teamed up and talked through their vision, as Frances made the letters...

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The Finishing Touches

Under Construction Alvord’s new community center will feature a full-sized kitchen off of the gym. Both of which can be rented out for private parties. (Photo/Submitted) The Gymnasium The gym inside of Alvord’s community center. It has a full-length court that...

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New year. New hobby.

Finding a brand-new interest in 2025 Tristan Taylor | Editor With the excitement of the holiday season over for many and the new year of 2025 properly welcomed in, it’s about that time when some people start to go a little “stir-crazy” with nothing but winter on the...

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SWEARING IN THE NEW SHERIFF

On Thursday, Jan. 2, Brian Hilt of Rock Rapids was sworn in as the sheriff of Lyon County. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Lyon County Courthouse. Hilt was elected to be the new Lyon County Sheriff in November after a close race with the previous sheriff,...

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A blend of style and flavor

RUSTIC OAK BRANDS AT RIGHT: The Van Bochove family owns and operates Rustic Oak Brands Coffee and Boutique in Inwood. They opened the boutique portion of the store Nov. 29 and hope to have the coffee shop running soon. From left to right, Rayna, Angie, Brad and Tori...

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