Features

Embracing the challenges

WOUND CARE GRADUATION Kari Jurrens celebrates her “graduation” from the Avera Wound Care Clinic in Rock Rapids with a cake and a hug from her provider, Megan Klapperich, PA-C, on Monday, Mar. 25. Jurrens underwent an amputation in May 2023 which became infected,...

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Creating your own heroes

Eric Boote as Star Guy, a charismatic yet egotistical superhero with the power to make people fawn over him. Kiersten Knueven as Dr. Shock Clock, an evil villain with the power to stop time. Nick Middlen as Triple Time, a superhero with super speed. A Super Cast The...

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Inwood hosts meeting concerning community center

Community Center Rebuilding Project Architect Eric Oleson of Oleson and Hobbie Architects discusses the many new plans for the Inwood Community Center during a public meeting on Monday, March 18. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Tristan Taylor | Editor On Monday, March 18, the...

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Improving conservation efforts through tracking

Wildlife Specialist Riggs Wilson, wildlife research specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, was the featured speaker at this month’s Coffee with Conservation. Wilson discussed the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, which had recently been installed at...

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A triumphant season of Jazz

On the road to the championships Members of West Lyon’s WL Jazz hold up their first place trophy from the NWIBA Jazz District competition. After an astounding season, they will be competing at the Iowa Jazz Championships on April 2 in hopes of a third straight state...

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Learning to make smart decisions

Risk and Consequences Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep teaching the DARE program to one of the sixth-grade classes at West Lyon. With a curriculum based around good decision making, this week’s lesson was about taking risks and the consequences of our...

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Flavors of El Salvador come to Rock Rapids

PUPUSAS CITY OPENS IN ROCK RAPIDS Joel, Josue and Esmeralda Santos of Lester opened their new restaurant, Pupusas City, in Rock Rapids Friday, March 15. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes from El Salvador, including the national dish, pupusas, the restaurant’s...

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Community rallying around Ky

Community SupportKy Lynott sports a Larchwood Diamonds shirt sent in by the team to show their support as he undergoes chemotherapy treatments. (Photo/Submitted Mindi Skiles) Together as a family Ky Lynott with his parents Shayna Skiles and Kade Lynott. The three are...

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Fun with farm animals

Building a Farm Marilyn Lopez and Emery Bruggeman build with Legos during this month’s Clover Kids meeting. They worked with everyone else to make one large farm scene. (Photo/Submitted Laura Beyenhof) Learning about all about animals Levi Twedt shows off his...

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Legendary quest gone wrong

The Magic Words Landon Pottebaum plays the old wizard Merlin in West Lyon’s spring play “Camelot and Camelittle.” After some help from the heroes, he shows off his magical powers and casts a spell. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Myths Made Real Tessa Boysen playing a...

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SkillsUSA to host annual banquet

Night of food and fun Pictured is last year’s SkillsUSA Banquet. Approximately 400 people came to the banquet last year, and the SkillsUSA members are hoping for an even larger turnout this year. (Photo/Submitted Shane Peterson) Tristan Taylor | Editor Following the...

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Spreading awareness for Cerebral Palsy

Tristan Taylor | Editor Every year, members of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) take part in a STAR project of their own designs. These STAR projects stand for Students Taking Action with Recognition and can take many shapes. This year, one...

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Love and loss at the state fair

A TRIP TO THE MOON Amy Lyon as fair singer Emily Arden and Blake Lyon as Wayne Frake share an embrace during River Valley Players’ production of “State Fair.” (Photo/Dominique Kooiker) BOYS AND GIRLS LIKE YOU AND ME Allison Van Aartsen as Melissa Frake and Terry Van...

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Best in Show

Class Dog Show West Lyon’s Small Animal Care class hosted a dog show to demonstrate the students’ knowledge on various breeds. The students pose with their “dogs.” Front row - Ricardo Avila-Castelan, Hayden Mulder, Madilyn Cornell, Ashley Roemen. Back row - Isaiah...

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Learning skills to last a lifetime

Leaders in CTE The officers for West Lyon’s SkillsUSA chapter have been spreading awareness for Career and Technical Education throughout the month of February. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Back Row Left to Right - Cole Balster, Jana Ter Wee, Sydnee Kammrad, Cadence...

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West Lyon hosts Annual Speech Showcase

Let’s Improvise Evalyn Gana-Niemeyer performs a solo improv routine during West Lyon’s Speech Showcase Tuesday, Feb. 13. The prompt she was given was “A lacrosse goalie and a football announcer at a hairdresser.” (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Kitchen Chaos Landon Pottebaum...

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Celebrating half a century of community theatre

REVISITING “STATE FAIR” River Valley Players presented “State Fair” in 1999. This was the first production presented on the new stage in the Forster Auditorium. As 2024 marks the 50th year of River Valley Players and the 25th year since moving onto the new stage, the...

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Wildbots at State

Working to Success Evelyn Johnson and Natasha Mejia work together on their team’s robot during a robot match. They and their fellow Wildbots won first place for their robot’s design at FIRST Lego League Competition. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Award WinnersWest Lyon’s...

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Celebrating Iowa Heritage on Stage

IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING Elasa Poppinga as Margy Frake and Justin Hinrichs as Pat Boone rehearse a scene from River Valley Players’ production of “State Fair.” “State Fair” will be presented at the Forster Auditorium at Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids...

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Every ‘sole’ deserves a sock

Avera hospital hosts sock drive PROVIDING CLEAN SOCKS FOR THOSE IN NEED During the month of February, the wound care clinic at Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital of Rock Rapids is facilitating a sock drive. Anyone wishing to donate may bring new socks of any...

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