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Local News

Local author pens memoir following retirement from Southwest Airlines

TRAER – Rural Traer resident Barb Hanus – pen name Beth Ann Morrison – flew for nearly a quarter century as a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines. Next Wednesday, July 10, at the Traer Public Library, Hanus will share the ups and downs of that unique career while presenting her ...

Fall 2024 Master Gardener training application window to open July 12

TOLEDO – The application window is opening July 12 for the 2024 Fall Master Gardener training cohort, which will be offered in 29 counties or extension regions. Iowans wishing to become Master Gardener volunteers choose a county to complete training through, participate in online ...

Traer’s Taylor Park Bandstand

TRAER – Traer got its name from John Wells Traer, an employee of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern railroad, who purchased land for the expansion of the train line westward. The town was built on land owned by Giles Taylor, father of E. E. Taylor, founder of the Traer Star-Clipper ...

Tama County one of 28 additional counties approved for FEMA Public Assistance

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds announces the approval of twenty-eight (28) additional counties for Public Assistance under the previously approved Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA DR-4784-IA, for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from tornados, severe storms, and widespread ...

In the Sky: July

July will be a special month in the sky. Scorpius (the Scorpion), the most characteristic constellation in the summer sky, will be at its highest and best for observing. To find it look south as soon as it gets dark for the bright reddish star Antares that represents the heart of the scorpion. ...

WWII veterans share powerful stories with Czech graduate student

MARSHALLTOWN – Russell Wright and Ralph Alshouse — two World War II veterans and members of the “Greatest Generation” — shared their service stories and important life lessons last Sunday morning in separate interviews at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The interviewer, ...

Blue Ribbon Blooms

DYSART – The Dysart Garden Club recently named Penny Stoakes’ colorful, abundant well-kept flowers as the club’s Blue Ribbon Flowers of the Month for June. The monthly designation is a new undertaking of the local club which first started meeting in 2000. “Everybody has a ...

Union explores possible November bond referendum

LA PORTE CITY – The Union school board is currently considering placing a bond referendum before voters this coming November. During the Monday, June 17, regular board meeting, representatives from both Denovo Construction and the financial firm Piper Sandler presented several options ...