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Local News

Former Tama County jailer charged with sexual abuse; pleads not guilty

TOLEDO – A now former Tama County jailer has been arrested and charged with two counts of second degree sexual abuse, both Class B felonies, over events that allegedly occurred in 2023. On Monday, June 8, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) arrested 21-year-old Clayton Killian, who ...

High winds lead to area power outages, interruptions

AREA – Severe storms with wind gusts in excess of 70 mph led to area power outages last Thursday, June 11, including across the Dysart, Traer and Clutier areas. “The severe weather front that passed through Tama County on Thursday morning, June 11, produced high-velocity winds that caused ...

‘O blessed Lady of the fields, who loved the rural folk’

RURAL CLUTIER – As the sound of hymns sung by some 150 parishioners escaped the slightly ajar doors to rural Clutier’s St. Wenceslaus Oratory last Sunday, June 7, the Prince of Peace (Catholic) Cluster celebrated the annual Corpus Christi Mass and procession for the first time under ...

Union Middle School to hire new principal; search narrowed to 3 finalists

DYSART – Union Middle School will begin the 2026-27 school year this coming August with a new principal at the helm following Wayne Slack’s resignation. During a special meeting of the Union school board convened on Wednesday, June 3, directors approved Slack’s resignation from the ...

The Stories of Our Lives: Lincoln, Iowa

This article first appeared in the Sun Courier newspaper and is dedicated to the citizens of Lincoln, past and present. It describes what it was like to live in that community during the author’s formative years (the 1950s). If the stories of our past are not shared, they will vanish with ...

Granger Reunion/Stoakes Snapshot Invitation

TRAER – A Granger Reunion will be held at Traer’s Taylor Park on Sunday, June 28, beginning at noon. Many of the reunion attendees are descendants of Eleazer and Eliza Granger Stoakes. Sarah Stoakes Thomas and Eleazer Stoakes were sister and brother. Gary Gute is restoring the B.F. and ...

Happy Retirement, Miss Cindy!

TRAER – At the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year late last month, North Tama marked just one retirement, elementary office manager Cindy Zimple. But considering all the roles she’s held since first joining the district more than seven years ago, her departure will be felt throughout the ...

Traer Nostalgia: Corn Borer Damage, 1956

This photo was taken in June 1956. Mark Nechanicky is shown here next to corn plants infested with European Corn Borer. European Corn Borer moths arrive on air currents from the Gulf of Mexico in late May and hatch in mid to late June. Note the holes and feeding on the leaves of the corn ...

Rob Sand announces Dave Muhlbauer as running mate

DES MOINES – On Monday, June 8, Democratic nominee for governor Rob Sand announced that Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer will join the ticket as candidate for lieutenant governor. “A fifth-generation family farmer and cattleman from Crawford County, Dave Muhlbauer represents the ...