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. …
JW’s Foods owners Curt and Dawn Wyse stand beneath the store’s sign. The couple has owned and operated the business for 17 years, after purchasing it from Dawn’s parents in 2009.

Feeling a different calling

Kalona Seventeen years is a long time to own and run a business, but JW’s owners Curt and Dawn Wyse have done just that. Now, after years of serving the community, they are looking to sell the store and focus on other responsibilities. The couple feels called to ministry and other work, including caring for Dawn’s parents, who are both 90 and older. “We feel God calling us in other directions, and we don’t have the capacity to run this while doing those things and also caring for our family and different health things,” Dawn said. For now, they plan to keep the store open while searching for a buyer who will continue serving the town and meeting the community’s needs...
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 CITY COUNCIL

Groundbreaking ceremony for Riverside’s Wellness Center set

RIVERSIDE Years of waiting will end Saturday morning in Riverside. With bulldozers likely in the background, the city will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday for its …

    • Fedler, DeLong and Hora win in WaCo

      Washington Washington County voters elected two members of the Board of Supervisors, with Republican incumbent Marcus Fedler winning another …

    • 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) …

Wellman
Good things were happening at the Wellman WMCA during 2026!

Wellman council hears positive report from WaCo YMCA CEO Amy Schulte

Wellman With 2026 winding down, the Wellman City Council heard an update from Washington County YMCA CEO Amy Schulte, who reported that Wellman YMCA membership has returned to pre-COVID levels. Schulte said members have been returning and signing back up. About 141 members, or 17%, receive some form of membership discount, while 85 members have addresses outside Wellman...

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.