Four State

By EARL HORLYK – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Many people will start off the new year with a desire to change their diet. The Sioux City Public Library’s Michael Maxwell wants everyone to eat the world. That’s because the first book for the 2025 Open Book Club is a book of

By DOLLY A. BUTZ – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Downtown Partners has installed new interior skywalk lights in Sioux City’s downtown. The colorful RGB LED lighting addition was installed inside the skywalk bridge above Nebraska Street between Third and Fourth streets. The test area began glowing pink on Friday. The comprehensive

By Nick Hytrek – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) As 2024 began, Siouxland needed moisture. After experiencing months of drought and dry conditions, the area was in desperate need of above-normal spring rainfall to make up for long-term moisture deficits. Mother Nature granted that wish. From March through May, much of the region saw plentiful

By Matt Smith – Clinton Herald, Iowa (TNS) The small Johnson County town of Coyote Flats having lost its city hall turned to the Johnson County Commissioners Court on Dec. 20 to receive help. “A few years back they bought a portable building for their city hall but that property recently sold and so they

By Matt Smith – Clinton Herald, Iowa (TNS) Members of the Johnson County Commissioners Court on Dec. 20 faced the challenge of spending $549,429.30 by day’s end. That amount represented the remainder of American Rescue Plan Act funding had to pledge to various purchases and projects by the end of that day or send back

By Monica Faram – Clinton Herald, Iowa (TNS) The end of the year is quickly approaching. As we look forward to the new year, plan to start 2025 off on the right (and left) foot with a hike, stroll, dog walk, bike ride or winter water plunge in your favorite state park. Whether exercising your

By CATHERINE CROW – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) Each December, Courier reporters look back at their favorite stories of the past year. We ask them to pick their favorites: not necessarily the biggest stories of the year, just the ones they found most interesting. Some are heart-warming. Some are amusing. Some are wistful. We

By MARIA KUIPER – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) CEDAR FALLS — Candles shined their way through the fog during a celebration of Hanukkah in Cedar Falls Thursday. A 10-foot menorah sat at the River Place Plaza in a lighting ceremony marking the second night of the Jewish holiday. The celebration was led by Rabbi

By MARIA KUIPER – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — After being the people’s pick for county auditor since 1988, Grant Veeder will begin his retirement in the new year. His employment with Black Hawk County ends Tuesday. Karen Showalter, the current elections manager, will be sworn in after the holiday. He’s been working

By JEFF REINITZ – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for allegedly sexually abusing a girl. Wesley Dale Widner, 41, was originally arrested for second-degree sexual abuse, and he later entered an Alford plea – not admitting guilt but stipulating he would likely be found guilty

By MARIA KUIPER – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) CEDAR FALLS — The Cedar Valley welcomed Selvedina Nuhanovic with open arms. Now she’s returning that community embrace. Nuhanovic, 32, is a real estate agent at Vine Valley Real Estate and an overall “people person.” Her family came to the area in 1998 when she was

By Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS) WATERLOO — Half of the winners from an Iowa Lottery scratch game are from Waterloo. Alix Theel claimed her $30,000 prize after winning on the “Tree-Mendous Crossword” scratch game. She bought the ticket at the Kwik Star at 1717 E. San Marnan Drive. Theel is the third person from