Front Page News

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...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more

‘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...

read more

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,...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more

Spring on Main

New Event Aimed to Shine a Light on Inwood Businesses Tristan Taylor | Editor The businesses on Main Street Inwood are coming together for a new event in town. Spring on Main is a joining together of businesses and organizations in Inwood happening Saturday, May 10,...

read more

Hanging up his helmet

HONORING 42 YEARS OF SERVICE Alvord Fire Chief Tanner Van Middendorp, right, presents a plaque to Gib Van Hill for his 42 years of service as a firefighter and EMT at Alvord Fire and Rescue. (Photo/Amy Lyon) A HERO’S CLOTHES Pictured is Gib Van Hill in his firefighter...

read more

Keeping a strong jazz culture at West Lyon

West Lyon Wildcat Jazz The West Lyon Wildcat Jazz Choir members: Front Row: Easton Robinson, Colt Metzger, Maggie Kooi, Hazel Niemeyer, Kiann Blomgren, Justina Bruggeman, Sophia Niemeyer, Daniel Middlen, Erica Meendering, Ellah Acosta and Ava Van Dyke. Back Row: Ben...

read more

Nature’s music maker

Up Close With Nature Naturalist Dayton Buntjer displays a wing from a Canada goose during the bird-themed Coffee with Conservation program Tuesday, April 15. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) The Smallest Things A close-up of a hummingbird skull and egg shown off during this...

read more

Four years of helping life’s hurts

The Team Behind It All Board members of Inwood’s Healing Room, which has just celebrated its fourth anniversary this month. From left to right: Larry Wanamaker, vice-president; Sarah Ver Steeg, president; Kandace Brands, secretary/treasurer; Brent Hohman, board...

read more

Combining forces

A Look at Years Past A view from last year’s SkillsUSA Banquet. This year, West Lyon student organizations SkillsUSA and FCCLA are combining for one evening in the Career and Technical Education Showcase Night, showing off all CTE has to offer students....

read more

A cool way to end Clover Kids

SAVORING THE SOFT-SERVE SNACK Kamden Mogler tastes the homemade ice cream he and a group of second and third graders at West Lyon made during their last session of Clover Kids April 8. (Photo/Amy Lyon) MAKING A SWEET TREAT AT RIGHT: Laura Beyenhof, right, pours 2 cups...

read more

Scoops and Stories

PRESERVING HISTORY Jim Zangger explains a picture of an archaeological excavation site at Blood Run during Inwood Museum’s 10th annual ice cream social March 29. He and Steve Simons presented on the nonprofit organization Friends of Blood Run and their efforts to...

read more

The road to success

OWNERS OF RICHARZ REPAIRDani Van Beek, Lee Richarz and Michael Moe are owners of Richarz Repair in Larchwood. The diesel repair business celebrated its 15th anniversary with an open house March 28. (Photo/Amy Lyon) SHOWING APPRECIATION Employees of Richarz Repair in...

read more

Musical Virtues

Practice Makes Perfect Parker Lems, Blair Lems, Jayla Van De Stroet and Taysen Van Beek practice their choreography and actions for “The Music Machine,” the musical for Inwood Christian School’s spring program. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Feel the Groove Maeva Sterns...

read more