Features

The Place to be: Alvord Days 2025

Sandy CompetitionThe competition was fierce and competitors even fiercer during the sand-volleyball tournaments as part of this year’s Alvord Days. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Fun in the ParkThis young girl comes sliding out of a bouncy house in the Alvord city park. There...

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The biggest test

Sworn As A Citizen Andres Acosta (middle) at his Naturalization Ceremony the last week of May alongside his wife Veronica (middle-right) and their daughter Ellah (right). Veronica was also granted citizenship earlier this year in February. (Photo/Submitted) Americans...

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They like to move it

THE KING OF NEW YORK CITY Jackson Groen strikes a pose as Alex the lion during the opening song of the Madagascar Jr. musical to be performed June 11-13 at 7 p.m. at the Forster Auditorium in Rock Rapids. (Photo/Amy Lyon) TOGETHER FOREVER The cast of Madagascar Jr....

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First Big Bash of the Summer

Preview of this year’s Alvord Days Tristan Taylor | Editor chools are out for the summer and the weather is much warmer, that means it’s time to celebrate! And the first big celebration of the season in West Lyon is almost here with Alvord Days 2025. The City of...

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And the work goes on

Construction Tour On April 21, 2025, staff at West Lyon Community School took a tour through the construction areas on the north wing of school, led by Hausmann Construction. They toured the areas such as the new weight room and auditorium. (Photo/Tristan Taylor)...

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Meet your future Miss Inwood

Erica Meendering Chloe Van Essen Bria Berentschot Brooke Dieters Cora Van Beek Daenerys Snyders Elsie Van Beek Jazlynn Rozeboom Rylee Halma Tennyson Reinke Violet Bixler Zaylie Norris Tristan Taylor | Editor It’s almost time for the new Miss Inwood to be crowned with...

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Preparing for the international stage

Top-10 in the World Aria Murray (middle) stands with her parents, Weston and Alex. They all wear shirts saying “Blast off With Braille,” the theme for this year’s Braille Challenge Aria herself came up with. Winning the competition and placing top-10 in her entire...

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Cleaning up the county

PREPARING TO PAINT Harper Bergestadt, left, and Aubrey Ahrenholtz scrape off old paint in preparation to paint a building at Granite on May 22 as part of West Lyon Junior High community service days. (Photo/Amy Lyon) STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Caleb Groeneweg brings a bucket...

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Honoring a fallen deputy during National Police Week

HONORING A FALLEN DEPUTY On Wednesday, May 10, Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies Alex Waagmeester (crouching) and Kyle Munneke take rubbings of the late Deputy Stephanie Schreurs’ name on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week in...

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Into the World They Go

Members of the graduating class of 2025 toss their caps into the air to celebrate their accomplishments. Eighty-two students graduated from West Lyon this year. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) You Did It! Ava Boote (right) receives her diploma to graduate as she shares a hug...

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Recognized for their work

Elementary Educator of the Year Leah Twedt speaks in front of the class of 2025 after receiving the award for Elementary Educator of the Year. She encouraged the graduates to plant seeds in others to make the world a better place. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Secondary...

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Scouting in Lyon County

Helping Their Community Inwood’s Cub Scouts pack led a food drive this school year to help collect canned food for Manna Market in Inwood. Pictured is the troop delivering the donations. (Photo/Submitted) Cub Scouts leader speaks to Kiwanis club Tristan Taylor |...

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‘Where values matter’

LESTER STATE BANK Pictured is an illustration of Lester State Bank, which opened in 1945. In 1999, it was renamed Peoples Bank and is now celebrating its 80th anniversary. (Photo/Submitted) SERVING THE LESTER COMMUNITY AND BEYOND Pictured are Peoples Bank employees in...

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West Lyon to host commencement ceremony

Gage Blauwet Olivia Feucht Kyndra Gramstad Angie Knapp Luca Knoblock Claire Metzger Annie Metzger Talula Serck Kendra Van Regenmorter Tristan Taylor | Editor West Lyon Community School will soon be saying goodbye to this year’s senior class. The commencement ceremony...

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One last performance

Choral Director Award Sophia Niemeyer (right) receives the Choral Director’s Award from Joshua Nobles during the Senior Showcase Concert at West Lyon. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Louis Armstrong Award Jackson Doorneweerd (right) was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong...

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Reflecting on another year

At this year’s West Lyon FFA Banquet, Colt Metzger performed “Love Without End, Amen,” by George Strait, which he had performed in the talent show at the state FFA competition earlier this month. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Luca Knoblock (right) embraces her parents,...

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Building for the future

FUNDRAISER FOR NEW LARCHWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER Volunteers serve a free-donation meal during the New Larchwood Community Center Committee’s fundraiser April 26. The goal of the event was to garner support and inform the public on building plans. (Photo/Amy Lyon) PASSION...

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Sworn to serve, protect and be pet

BRINGING COMFORT AND RAISING MORALE K9 unit Honey is the newest member of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department. Honey is a crisis canine who will have a special role in assisting victims of traumatic crimes and first responders. She has been partnered with Deputy Amy...

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A glamorous night under the lights

SAVANNAH SMITH ESCORTED BY ROSS SAEGER ALYSSA HOOGESTRAAT ESCORTED BY CARTER METZGER OLIVIA FEUCHT ESCORTED BY RYKER METZGER EVALYN GANA ACCOMPANIED BY CHLOE VAN ESSEN JULI TAYLOR ESCORTED BY BEN BAHNSON KAITLYNN BELDIN ACCOMPANIED BY EMMA ROBINSON ANNIE METZGER...

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One night full of jazz

In the Spotlight Koen Metzger delivers a solo on the trombone during West Lyon’ spring jazz concert at Calico Skies. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Playing in Style At their concert at Calico Skies, members of the West Lyon Jazz Band came dressed up in Hawaiian shirts, as is...

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