Features

A ‘Seuss’ take on an ancient classic

Narrator 1 and Narrator 2 Erica Meendering and Justina Bruggeman donned blue wigs as they played Narrators 1 and 2 in this year’s production of “The SeussOdyssey.” (Photo/Tristan Taylor) West Lyon to present spring play Tristan Taylor | Editor What happens when you...

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Gracious Professionalism

Focus on the Board Wildbots members Rex Rentschler, Rayna Knoblock, Lena Nesseth and Kohen Koedam watch on in anticipation as their robot attempts to complete its programmed tasks. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Wildbots West Lyon’s First Lego League team, the Wildbots,...

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New firehouse coming to Inwood

Tristan Taylor | Editor The Inwood Fire and Rescue Department is currently in the process of constructing a new fire station to better fit personnel and equipment. “Originally it started out to add on to our current fire station. And then eventually the guys just...

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Loving to Learn

Speaking Up First-grade student, Shayla Singsaath, was one of the speakers during West Lyon’s elementary program this past Thursday evening. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Class Choir Students of West Lyon’s third-grade class are pictured singing at their annual elementary...

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State Tournament Bound

WL Dominates Substate Final, Will be second seed in Des Moines West Lyon boys’ basketball poses for a team photo Saturday, March 1, after qualifying for the Class 2A state tournament in Des Moines. After multiple years of losing their substate final, the Wildcats...

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Learning new skills

Stoking the Flames Nahla Romero, Allanah Bruggeman and Chyles Meendering huddle around their fire and they try to keep it going with the help of Kyle Ciesielski (left). (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Conservation hosts winter survival day Tristan Taylor | Editor Fifth-grade...

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Meeting the community

A Welcome Introduction Dayton Buntjer, recently hired-naturalist with Lyon County Conservation, led the monthly Coffee with Conservation program to introduce herself to the community and share her plans for the coming months. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) First Coffee with...

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Sweet time to read

READ ‘N’ FEED Scott Davelaar reads his book in the gym during a session called read ‘n’ feed at Inwood Christian School during February’s elementary reading month. For this time, the students brought a snack to eat and drink as well as pillows and blankets for...

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Presenting a ‘Practically Perfect’ musical

JUST A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR During a rehearsal for River Valley Players’ “Mary Poppins,” Amy Lyon as Mary Poppins, Maggie McCarthy as Jane Banks and Nikolas Hamlin as Michael Banks practice one of their scenes. This show will be presented at the Forster Auditorium at...

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Communicating to keep people safe

Brian Hilt—Lyon County Sheriff New county-wide emergency alert system goes live Dominique Kooiker | Editor Communication is a key goal of the new Lyon County Sheriff, Brian Hilt, and his team at the sheriff’s department. This month, a new emergency alert system is...

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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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