The News

Kalona

Washington County Riverboat Foundation board members approved the roster of spring grant recipients on Wednesday, May 17 at Wooden Wheel Vineyards, Keota.

Riverboat Foundation awards $299,300 grant to Kalona Historical Society for rail exhibit

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation announced fall grant recipients Wednesday night at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. Over $2,000,000 in grants were distributed, with the second highest …

Edie Kemp and Heather Kemp were recognized as new members of the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Nov. 21. L-R: Ron Slechta (The News), Tonia Poole (Kalona Chamber), Heather Kemp (front, PaperPie), Tandy Greiner (CBI Bank), Edie Kemp (Norwex), Katie Karnes (Woodin Wheel), and Ethel Bontrager (Ethel’s Gourmet Kitchen B&B).

Two separate businesses, one Kalona home

KALONA Mother Edie Kemp and daughter Heather Kemp, entrepreneurs each, own and operate two small businesses separately but equally under the same roof in Kalona. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, both …

Sign-up for Dolly Parton Imagination Library starts Dec. 2

KALONA Children of Kalona who have books on their holiday wishlists may not have to rely on Santa much longer. Those from birth to age five living in the 52247 zip code can stop in at the …

During Christmas in Kalona on Dec. 2, buy a Holiday Shopping bag (left) for $5 at the Kalona Chamber and receive 10% off items in the bag at participating shops (list available at the Chamber). Kids can pick up a walking stocking (right) and fill it with complimentary treats from local shops.

Live nativity, more vendors than ever: Christmas is coming to Kalona

KALONA Arrive early. If early indicators prove correct, this year’s Christmas in Kalona crowds are going to be bustling. It takes a committee to organize and produce Christmas in Kalona, …

Riverside

Murphy’s Bar & Grill serves you, the community

RIVERSIDE As we enter the season of giving – the Christmas season – Murphy’s Bar & Grill in Riverside is preparing a conclusion to their year of giving back. …

Holy Trinity serves hundreds at Thanksgiving meal

RICHMOND What is the recipe for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner? For the members of Holy Family Parish at Holy Trinity in Richmond, the recipe includes 360 pounds of turkey, 60 pounds of ham, 130 …

Big flush: City Council tours wastewater plant, approves payments for water plant improvements

RIVERSIDE One night before City Council elections were held in Riverside, the council’s meeting Monday night had a watery feel to it. The City Council began the night with a …

Mid-Prairie bond measure passes; Riverside councilperson loses seat to newcomer

KALONA Final results are in from Nov. 7’s school board and city council elections, although all results are unofficial until canvass. Locally, all but one incumbent kept their seats, and all …

Wellman

Wellman Lights the Night

Families turned out in Wellman Saturday night, Nov. 25, for Light the Night downtown. Hot Cocoa, Christmas tree decorating, and train rides provided lots to do while folks awaited Santa’s arrival …

Wellman’s water mains still a worry

WELLMAN Wellman’s water mains have outlived their life expectancy, a point brought home by a break downtown days before the city council met on Nov. 20. The topic once again occupied the council …

Members of the Wellman Garden Club learned how to paint mandala rocks on Nov. 16.

Wellman Garden Club explores mandala rock painting

The Wellman Garden Club met Nov. 16 at the Senior Center. President Powell opened the meeting by thanking attendees for coming. Marilyn read a beautiful Helen Steiner Rice Thanksgiving poem called …

Veterans, student enlistees recognized at Mid-Prairie assembly

Mid-Prairie honored area veterans at their annual Veterans Day Assembly and Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 10. Numerous veterans from the community gathered, each stating their name and what they …

Lone Tree

Lone Tree Enjoys Winter Fest

A festive spirit infused Lone Tree on Saturday, Nov. 25 as visitors and residents enjoyed a full day of downtown activities for Winter Fest. After shopping market vendors and eating delicious food, …

Discussion about supervisors' expense allocations heats up

IOWA CITY Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan says he has tried to talk about supervisor expense allocations for two or three years. So when it finally got on the agenda for a work …

Johnson County Sheriff negotiates higher wages for presence in Lone Tree

LONE TREE The Lone Tree City Council met on Monday, Nov. 6, for their regularly scheduled meeting. The council approved Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel’s proposal to raise the …

Lone Tree's 'Family Fright Night' a success

LONE TREE Lone Tree celebrated it's fourth annual 'Family Fight Night' on Saturday, Oct. 28. Here, cars lined up for a chance to win the best decorated. The cars served as a point of …

Washington County

Ambulance report outlines need for third shift

WASHINGTON Although they were not able to take any action, the Washington County Supervisors Tuesday considered adding a third shift to the Washington County Ambulance services. They plan to take …

Canvass sees no change

WASHINGTON Washington County Supervisors Nov. 21 completed their canvass of the Nov. 7 city/school board elections that produced no changes in either the city elections or the school board ones. …

Board offers support for Riverside project

WASHINGTON Following a brief presentation from Riverside’s City Administrator, Cole Smith, on the city’s plan for an English River seven-mile Water Trail Project, the supervisors Tuesday …

Diners at the Chef Spotlight Dinner on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Wooden Wheel Winery enjoyed a delicious meal, prepared by Chef Andy Vaitkus of Cedar River Ranch in Letts and got a chance to put their philanthropy in practice by raising over $10,250 in an auction of donated desserts from many county businesses and individuals. Proceeds from this auction will be divided between the Community Foundation of Washington County and Hospice of Washington County. Here, Mid-Prairie student servers enjoy a special dessert.

Chef Spotlight Dinner benefits Hospice of Washington County

4-H Special Awards

Washington County Special Awards were distributed at the 4-H Awards Celebration on Nov. 5. Intermediate and senior 4-H’ers had the opportunity to apply and interview for these prestigious awards. …

Johnson County

Johnson County sets December date for zoning and platting hearings

IOWA CITY The monthly formal session for zoning and platting considerations has been set for December 14 by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The date was set by the Board during an …

ARPA spending is a focus for upcoming Johnson County budget considerations

IOWA CITY Time is beginning to wind down on Johnson County’s plans for the disbursement of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, per federal requirements. Allison Wells, Grants …

Proposed transportation initiative targets North Liberty

IOWA CITY A potential regional transportation initiative may be coming to Johnson County, but it won’t involve Lone Tree or southern portions of the county. At its Nov. 1 work …