CHANGES AND GROWTH AHEADThe facilities at Dutchland Foods in Lester have continued to change and evolve over the past three decades, just as the business and the products they produce have. A recent addition will include a production floor, offices and more....
WHAT KIND OF TREE IS IT?Madilyn Cornell, right, discusses the characteristics of a tree with Lyon County Conservation naturalist Emily Ostrander during the wildlife and fisheries class Thursday, September 15. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Ag instructors engage students in a...
PATH THROUGH THE WILDERNESSThe Doon Wildlife Area has extensive trails leading through the prairie and timber stands throughout the 197-acre area. Lyon County Conservation manages this area, which is owned by Lyon and Sioux Rural Water. (Photo/Dominique Kooiker) Lyon...
Angela Kennecke speaks to Wildcat students on the dangers of opioid usage. Anthony Vargas | Student Contributor The Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics indicates there were an estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths in the United States...
OUTSTANDING IN THE CLASSThe brass section was among the respective sections of the West Lyon High School marching band and competing in the Crimson Class to win the Outstanding caption at the Pursuit of Excellence marching band competition in Marshall, Minnesota...
NOT-SO-HIDDEN BRIDGEUnlike Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area, Klondike Area offers access to a bridge. This bridge offers an excellent place to fish or to take a walk through nature. Klondike Area is one of several areas owned or managed by Lyon County Conservation for...
UP CLOSE WITH A MONARCHKendrik Fluit studies the two monarch butterflies she caught in her net during the monarch tagging program at Lake Pahoja on Sept. 7. Emily Ostrander, Lyon County Naturalist, led this program to assist in the study of the butterflies’ annual...
Lyon County Conservation provides opportunities to enjoy nature HOME BASE FOR ALL THINGS CONSERVATIONThe Lyon County Conservation Nature and Education Center located at Lake Pahoja Recreation Area in western Lyon County houses the offices of conservation staff as well...
SPEAKING TO THE SENATORMikayla Leuthold (right) explains her graphic design job to Sen. Joni Ernst. Ernst visited Simply Said, owned by Brad and Michelle Leuthold, in Rock Rapids Aug. 29 as part of her 99-county tour through Iowa. (Photo/Dominique Kooiker) Dominique...
MICHAEL HENNINGTherapist Michael Henning provides mental health care in the Central Lyon, George and West Lyon schools. Henning is a therapist with Creative Living Center, which is based out of Rock Valley and is the designated regional mental health provider for Lyon...
Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor Running enthusiasts strap on their running shoes for a variety of reasons — exercise, stress relief, competition, enjoyment and more. A 5k run/walk, hosted by the Inwood Recreational Trail Committee Saturday, Sept. 10, has another...
Lyon County farmer inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame HALL OF FAMERAlvin Smidstra of Rock Rapids was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during the Iowa State Fair. Smidstra has been involved with 4-H in Lyon County for more than three decades, serving as a fair...
New teachers at West Lyon for the 2022-2023 school year were asked to complete a questionnaire and provide some personal and professional background. Questions asked included: Why did you choose teaching for a career? What do you enjoy most about teaching? What do you...
LOGISTICS FACILITY NOW OPENA ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 25 marked the official opening of a logistics facility for Farmers Business Network in the former Elanco and Novartis building on 140th Street west of Larchwood. (Photo/Jessica Jensen) Dominique...
Senator Grassley hosts town hall meeting in Rock Rapids CONSTITUENT CONVERSATIONSU.S. Senator Chuck Grassley visited with Lyon County constituents during a town hall meeting Wednesday, August 24. (Photo/Dominique Kooiker) Dominique Kooiker | Staff Writer Senator...
Village of Lester celebrates Family Fun Day These youngsters represented Tri-State Custom Hay of Larchwood with a smile and a wave to the parade crowd. Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor With a full slate of activities for the annual Lester Days celebration Friday,...
Celebrating Life in LesterLadell “Gopher” and Shelly Kellenberger were chosen as this year’s Lester Days parade marshals. The couple has lived, worked and been active in the community and are thankful for the friendships and support from the West Lyon community and...
Sarah Mullinix | Staff Writer Summer break may be coming to an end but Lester is ready to host the last summer town celebration starting Friday, Aug. 19. The event continues into Saturday, Aug. 20, with activities all day in the park. Mark your calendars to join the...
CHANGES AT THE GARAGE Kate Van Beek and Alyssa Van Beek have taken ownership of The Garage, formerly Gink’s Garage, in Inwood, and have made some changes to the menu and hours. (Photo/Jessica Jensen) Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor When the former owners of Gink’s...
OUT OF THE GATELarchwood native Easton Robinson attempts to stay on a bull during a Raise Em’ Rank event this past season. The Raise Em’ Rank, run by Dillon Swanson in Canton, South Dakota, is a bull riding series that attempts to get kids between the ages of 4 and 17...