×

Local News

Knebel named first female chair of Tama County Board of Supervisors

TOLEDO – It’s not just a simple management shift for the local board of supervisors; no, this is one of those historic moments that needs to be recorded and remembered for the posterity of Tama County. The first elected woman to the Tama County Board of Supervisors is now the first female ...

Welcoming Wrenlynne Maye Heitmann

VINTON - Aubree and Hunter Heitmann of Vinton celebrated the birth of their first child, daughter Wrenlynne Maye Heitmann, on July 11, 2026. Wrenlynne weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 19 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Amber and Jeremy Monat of Traer, and Dawn and Matt Heitmann of ...

2026 McKenna Reunion welcomes 39 family members

TRAER — The 2026 McKenna Reunion for the families of the late Charles and Clara McKenna was held Sunday, Aug. 2, at Taylor Park in Traer. Thirty-nine family members attended the potluck dinner. President Stephanie Buchanan led the business meeting following dinner. Officers elected for the ...

Traer Nostalgia: Green Chopping Alfalfa

TRAER – Fresh cut alfalfa is a favorite smell of summer on the farm. Vincent Caslavka is shown green chopping alfalfa to feed his dairy cows in 1957. He farmed in Oneida Township east of the V18 and E29 corner. In the 1950s, Tama County had hundreds of dairy farmers like Caslavka.

Vietnam-era helicopter finds new home in Marshall County

STATE CENTER -- Over the last few months, festivalgoers and attendees of various patriotic events may have noticed a massive restored Vietnam-era Sikorsky UH-34D Marine Corps helicopter making conspicuous landings around central Iowa, and if Nicholas and Kimberly Turner of rural State Center ...

Celebrate Iowa Drinking Water and Wastewater Workers Week!

IOWA – Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week is scheduled for Aug. 23 through Aug. 29, 2026. This marks the 16th year that a governor has signed a proclamation honoring the water and wastewater workers of Iowa. It is a week set aside for Iowans to honor those workers in the water and ...

Scenes from the 2026 Winding Stairs Festival grand parade

TRAER – The 2026 Winding Stairs Festival grand parade took place last Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 4 p.m. Glorious weather provided the perfect backdrop for the festival’s “Harvest the Fun” theme. Longtime Traer residents Jared and Marilyn Bauch were the parade grand marshals. ...

Traer water tower undergoes Redhawk refresh

TRAER – Just in time for high school football season, Traer’s water tower will soon sport a fresh Redhawk-themed paint scheme as part of a restoration project. “Work on the Traer water town has started,” Traer Municipal Utilities (TMU) General Manager Eric McEwen told the newspaper ...