Heavy rains last week caused flooding throughout the area, impacting communities including Kalona, Riverside, Wellman, Lone Tree, Washington and surrounding areas. Kalona and many of its residents experienced flooding, with most of it caused by rainwater. According to Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, about 26 residents reported flooding in their homes. Although most Kalona residents who experienced flooding dealt with rainwater, some reported sewage issues. One resident reported having about 18 inches of water in their basement... more

On an overcast Thursday morning, I sat down with Kalona Blacksmith & Welding owner Bob Yoder at his shop. Between answering calls about his upcoming open house, he pulled up a chair and talked about his career as a welder, why he is considering selling the shop and its tools, and his work as a Washington County supervisor. All around us were the tools he has collected over the years. If you offered the right price, Yoder might sell you one... more

Last Friday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Sinclair Tractor in Kalona for a campaign stop with farmers and employees. Naig discussed conservation, animal health and water quality, along with the upcoming November election. During his remarks, he said manufacturing, agriculture and financial services are three major parts of Iowa’s economy.. more

Road construction has closed a stretch of Kiwi Avenue near Kalona until further notice. Kiwi Avenue southwest of Kalona, just west of Highway 1, closed on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for repairs to a culvert in the road... more

Explore Kalona’s railroad history inside the new boxcar exhibit at Kalona Historical Village, with stories of food, commerce, travel and rail life. more

Fried mush has deep roots in Iowa, from early settlers and the Great Depression to today's Kalona restaurants and Fall Festival traditions. more

Imagine heading to the polls this September and finding that there are two candidates for Leader of the Beasts: Terry Turtle and Benny Beaver. Mr. Beaver is all about progress: he wants to level the … more

There are some people and places that you have a hard time separating; you just can’t imagine one without the other. The person has shaped the place, and the place has influenced the … more

Members of two H Avenue households had the Kalona City Council’s ear Monday night as they voiced concern and anger over sewage overflows into their basements following heavy rain overnight Saturday … more

Over the weekend, heavy rain caused flooding in many areas, including Kalona, Wellman, Washington and Lone Tree. According to reports, Kalona and surrounding communities such as Wellman, Riverside and Washington received about 2 to 5 inches of rain. Other parts of the county were affected as well. The National Weather Service reported approximately 4.91 inches of rain in Ainsworth... more

You have probably heard of trapshooting, a sport offered in many communities across Iowa. One of the area teams is the Golden Hawks Shooting Club. The club began in 2021 and has competed for about five years. Coach Clint Whetstine recently explained more about the team and how the sport works. Although the participants attend Mid-Prairie and compete under the Golden Hawks name, the club is not officially associated with or sponsored by the school district. Instead, it operates as an independent team... more

The Kalona Fall Festival returns this week, and one of its scheduled events is a presentation about conscientious objectors. Dr. Tom Meyers and Dr. Nyle Kauffmann will lead the presentation, which will focus on conscientious-objector status and the experiences of Amish and Mennonite men during wartime... more

The Kalona Fall Festival is right around the corner, with the 54-year-old tradition returning next week to the Kalona Historical Village. The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday... more

Washington   With the Nov. 3 general election approaching, voters will soon have the option to cast their ballots early. In-person absentee voting begins Oct. 14. County auditors began … more

LifeWise Mid-Prairie is preparing to launch its program in the district for the first time. The program will begin during the first week of October. According to a recent update, 16 students are currently registered... more

Pleasantview in Kalona was recently recognized as a 2026 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award through the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) National Quality Award Program. Pleasantview Director of Nursing Vickie Bender accepted the award during the Iowa Health Care Association Convention. more

Cleanliness is next to godliness, they say, and you’re all about clean. Your home is neat and tidy, and so are the garbage bags you bring out to the street at the appointed time. You’ve sorted … more

As a kid I lived in a Cape Cod surrounded by walnut, maple, and white pine trees. My brother and I played a lot in the yard, rolling the walnuts across the street and up the neighbor’s driveway (a … more

Kalona photographer Mark Robe is featured in “Reflections: People, Place & Inner Worlds” at the Iowa City Senior Center gallery through October more

Back in late July, a cow escaped from the Veterinary Medical Center of Kalona and roamed around town for about an hour. According to reports, the cow was eventually sedated and returned to the clinic... more