Washington, Cedar, Jones and Muscatine counties will share $11.6 million through the Iowa Rural Roads Safety Initiative

WaCo among four counties receiving funding through Iowa Rural Roads Safety Initiative

Washington Iowa will receive more than $76.2 million in federal funding to improve roadway safety statewide, including funding for improvements in Washington County. Washington, Cedar, Jones and Muscatine counties will share $11.6 million through the Iowa Rural Roads Safety Initiative to address high-risk rural roads identified in their safety action plans...
Mid-Prairie school board president Randy Billups gets sworn into office.

Mid-Prairie board approves Public Schools Strong resolution, elects president and vice president

Wellman During the public forum, the Mid-Prairie school board heard from Luke Hertzler, who collected signatures in support of a Public Schools Strong resolution calling for public funds to support public schools. Hertzler warned that the voucher system could strain the state’s budget and affect local property taxes in the future. “If we continue down the trajectory of the voucher system, our state, which already has a tight budget, will continue to see that budget get tighter. And if the state doesn’t cover the cost, then our local property taxes will have to.”..
Seniors at the Lone Tree Community Building socialize before lunch is served.

Lone Tree community dining to close if city cannot hire and certify a cook by April 2

Lone Tree During last week’s Lone Tree City Council meeting, the council was informed that the community dining program needs a cook. Members also learned that the health department has given the program until April 2 to find someone and have them certified. With no cook currently in place, the program has limited time to hire someone and less than six months to complete the certification process.

JoCo Supervisor Sullivan calls for housing project at Historic Poor Farm

IOWA CITY Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan pushed for housing to be included in a 10-year plan at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm during the Board of Supervisors’ work session Nov. …
Last Tuesday, Hills voters said yes to the new fire station/city office!

Hills voters say yes to new fire station and city hall building

Hills After years of discussion, Hills voters have approved a bond to build a new fire station and city hall. Residents approved the $5.1 million bond last Tuesday with 68.4% support, exceeding the 60% needed to pass. The measure received 349 yes votes and 161 no votes....
Sports
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Swartzentruber concludes high school career with gutsy state run

Max Swartzentruber ran his final race as a Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk on Friday, finishing 34th at the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge. Swartzentruber went out aggressively with a medal on …

Golden Hawks fall to Roland-Story in football round of 16

WELLMAN With 4:59 left in Friday’s game, Mid-Prairie quarterback Brooks Weber’s state-leading 30th touchdown pass of the season gave the seventh-ranked Golden Hawks a chance in their 2A …

Yoder siblings claim top 50 spots at state cross country

A pair of top 50 finishes for Hillcrest Academy’s Marie and Troy Yoder capped off the siblings’ lone cross country season together at the IGHSAU/IHSAA state meet in Fort Dodge. Marie, who …

Another state run for Golden Hawk besties

IOWA CITY To fully understand the close bond between Mid-Prairie cross country teammates Brooklyn Stutzman and Kendal Landstrum, you have to go back three years. Or four. In 2023, …

District championship sends Golden Hawks running toward state meet

IOWA CITY The Kickers Soccer Complex on the south side of Iowa City is turning almost into a home course for Mid-Prairie’s cross country team. The Golden Hawks won the River Valley …

Fiery first half fuels Golden Hawk win

An explosive start lifted the Golden Hawks to a first-round playoff victory on Friday, as Mid-Prairie claimed a 52-27 victory after fending off a third-quarter comeback attempt by Chariton. …

Hillcrest sends 3 to state cross country

Marie Yoder qualified for the state cross country meet in each of her first three seasons for Hillcrest Academy. On Thursday, she made it four straight trips to state with a 5th place finish at the …
Community News
Kalona
Voter turnout was high across Washington County during this year’s midterm election, with several precincts recording more ballots cast than in previous years.

WaCo County sees high turnout during midterm election

Washington A high number of Washington County residents headed to the polls during last week's midterm election, with many also casting their ballots early throughout much of October. Precincts such as Kalona, Wellman and Riverside each recorded more than 1,000 ballots cast.

Riverside

Riverside man found guilty of 15 sex abuse charges

Riverside A Riverside man, Jason Bex, was recently found guilty by a jury on 15 felony sexual abuse charges. Bex, 52, was first arrested in May 2025 and held in the Washington County Jail on a $1 million bond. After multiple trial delays, Bex was found guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 4...

Wellman
During election day on November 3, the Kalona YMCA had around 700 that came and voted before 5 p.m.

2026 Midterm elections results

Washington County Board of Supervisors (District 3) (1 seat) Marcus Fedler (R, incumbent) – 1,122 votes (54.9%) JoAnn Whitmore (D) – 920 votes (45.1%) (District 5) (1 seat) Brendan DeLong (R) - 1,004 votes (60.9%) Lynette Isles (D) – 644 votes (39.1%) County Attorney Nathan Repp (R) – 7,420 votes (100%) County Recorder Teresa Mangold (R) – 7,557 votes (100%) County Treasurer Lindsay Greiner Adam – 7,539 votes (100%) Iowa House District 92 (1 seat) Heather Hora (R, incumbent) 7,307 votes (55.2%) Brittany Erikson (D) 5,933 votes (44.8%) Mid-Prairie CSD Bond: 19,000,000 (60% to pass) (YES) 1,977 votes - (67.3%) (No) 961 votes - (32.7%) Federal U.S. House Iowa District 1 (1 seat) Christina Bohannan (D) - 172,833 votes (53.6%) Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R, Incumbent) 138,105 votes (42.8%) Michael Bridgford (N) 11,805 votes (3.7%) U.S. Senate Josh Turek (D) - 670,543 votes (50.5%) Ashley Hinson (R) - 615,770 votes (46.4%) Thomas Laehn (L) - 41,177 votes (3.1%) State Governor Rob Sand (D) - 757,6326 votes (56.1%) Zach Lahn (R) - 607,415 votes (43.9%) Attorney General Nate Williams (D) - 681,097 votes (50.9%) Brenna Bird (R, Incumbent) - 657,405 votes (49.1%) Secretary of State Paul Pate (R, Incumbent) - 711,766 votes (53.2%) Ryan Peterman (D) - 625,867 votes (46.8%) Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (R, Incumbent) -701,882 votes (52.7) Chris Jones (D) - 629,249 (47.3%) Treasurer of State Roby Smith (R, Incumbent) - 664,948 votes (50.3%) John Norwood (D) - 655,763 votes (49.7%) Auditor of State Taylor Wettach (D) - 666,632 votes (50.2%) Chris Cournoyer (R, Incumbent) - 660,159 votes (49.8%)

Lone Tree
JOHNSON COUNTY ELECTIONS 2026

Johnson County voters give thumbs down to new jail

IOWA CITY Johnson County voters slammed the door Tuesday on a proposed new jail that would cost nearly $100 million. Needing a 60% approval rate on Election Day for a $94.5 million …

Hills
Trojans Youth Baseball board president Grant Pippert presents to the council about upgrades to the baseball fields.

Possible improvements to Hills baseball complex discussed at recent council meeting

Hills During the Hills City Council meeting on Monday, October 26, Trojans Youth Baseball board president Grant Pippert discussed possible upgrades to the Hills baseball complex. Currently, the club pays $3,200 annually to use the baseball diamonds and also makes improvements to the fields...

Johnson County
Scott Powers of Lone Tree has a new trail date set for July of 2027.

Man accused of killing his father in Lone Tree has new trial date set for July 2027

Lone Tree Scott Powers, 52, of Lone Tree, who was arrested back in July in connection with the death of his 76-year-old father, Richard Powers, is now scheduled to stand trial on Tuesday, July 27, 2027...

Obituaries
Mary L (Slaven) Sanders
Mary L. (Slaven) Sanders, 96, of Iowa City, formerly of rural Ottumwa and Kalona, passed from this life on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. A …
Lovina Kauffman
Lovina Kauffman was born October 22, 1930, in Kokomo, Indiana, the daughter of Adam A. and Anna (Schlabach) Miller. They moved to Iowa when Lovina was 10. She attended Snake Hollow rural school. On …
Jimmie "Jim" Lon Yoder
Jimmie “Jim” Lon Yoder, 84, of Baxter, Tennessee, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Jim was born Wednesday, July 8, 1942, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of …
Margaret Ann Smothers
Some people leave behind memories. Others leave behind a legacy so beautiful that it continues touching lives long after they are gone. Margaret Ann Smothers did both. Margaret Ann Smothers, 94, of …
Web Extras
Traveling for the holidays? Here's how to save
Ally Financial reports tips for holiday travel budgeting: create an agenda, budget your stay, shop early for gifts, travel off-peak, go with a group, and consider travel insurance.
The Thanksgiving NFL archive: 5 statistical anomalies that defy decades of football logic
SBD reports on five Thanksgiving NFL statistical anomalies, highlighting remarkable performances, odd trends, and historical records from Turkey Day games.
The Thanksgiving NFL archive: 5 statistical anomalies that defy decades of football logic
SBD reports on five Thanksgiving NFL statistical anomalies, highlighting remarkable performances, odd trends, and historical records from Turkey Day games.
What research shows about studying techniques and recall
Quizlet reports that research shows self-testing improves memory retention more than rereading materials, despite students feeling more confident when rereading.
Money-saving energy tips to brave the cold months
Intuit TurboTax reports energy-saving tips for winter after Daylight Saving Time, including bundling up, using space heaters, and sealing drafts.