A special election that saw Republican Wendy Larson sweep to victory has the candidate ready to go as she awaits a new session of the Iowa Legislature.
The special election stemmed from the resignation of Rep. Mike Sexton after he was appointed to serve the Trump Administration as USDA Rural Development Director for Iowa as its director.
The district includes Calhoun, Pocahontas, and Sac counties along with part of Webster County.
An Ida Grove woman charged with child endangerment has learned when she will have her day in court.
Megan Montgomery, 41, is charged with two Class C felonies, for child endangerment and willful injury.
She was charged back in later October after a child was placed in her care at Montgomery’s in-home daycare.
A plea deal has seen a Schaller woman sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Jennifer Lynn Rathe, 35, of Schaller, had been charged with attempted murder, a Class B felony, and willful injury causing serious injury, a Class C felony.
As part of a plea deal, the court dismissed the attempted murder charge, which could have put her in prison for a quarter of a century.
The court has ordered an extension of a no contact order until late 2030 against Rathe.
The owner of car dealerships in northwest Iowa is facing the possibility of a quarter century or longer in prison on theft and ongoing criminal conduct charges.
Daniel Dean Winchell, 64, of Cherokee, is charged with a Class B felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct and two Class C felony charges of theft - first degree.
Ella Boysen earned the State Solo Championship in Class 5 Thursday as OABCIG’s Dance Team competed at State.
The Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association hosted competition Thursday and Friday, drawing teams from across the state.
OABCIG’s team saw strong results with all four dance entries taking home a Division 1 rating with a trophy.
The M.I.X. entry for OABCIG earned Third Place Class 2, while the team’s Jazz entry earned Fifth Place Class 3.
Ridge View saw a solid showing at the Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association competition Thursday and Friday. Results included:
• Class II Jazz Division I
• Class II Novelty Division I & 4th place
• Class III Hip hop Division I & 4th place
• Lois Turnage Outstanding Community Service
• Academic Excellence
Coach Bri Witzke was pleased with the results.
Scott Niemeier, Public Works Director for the City of Holstein, is retiring at the end of the year after more than 34 years of dedicated service. Scott began his career with the city in 1991, and has helped keep Holstein running smoothly and safely ever since.
The City of Ida Grove is moving ahead in seeking to help development along the northern section of Industrial Drive.
During the Dec. 1 city council meeting, Travis Chizek’s purchase of undeveloped lots in the area that turns into Linden Lane was discussed.
Chizek hopes to build a single family residence over on the northwestern lots. He asked whether council has a plan to develop the road.
Holstein is now home to a new option for individuals who would like to visit town but are looking for increased space, accommodations, and amenities.
Loft 59, located at 528 South Main Street, opened last week.
“My goal was to create a place for Northwest Iowa families to come home to; an alternative to other area lodging, particularly for larger groups,” said owner Lisa Ducommun.
Holstein’s 2025 Christmas party took place on Dec. 6 in several places around town.
Stubbs Memorial library invited kids to join a holiday storytime with stories, cookies and free books.
The Lohff-Schumann “Cookies, Cocoa & Coffee for Claus” fundraiser took place at the old city hall building.
Santa flew in to greet kids at the Holstein Legion Hall, where Holstein Kiwanis served lunch.
