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Historian Kevin Mason of the University of Northern Iowa discusses how the Illinois Central Railroad shaped Cherokee's origins, growth and identity during a Tuesday evening presentation at the Cherokee ICRR Depot. Mason's program examined the railroad's lasting influence on the community's development and history. Mason explained how Cherokee residents moved homes, businesses and even the county courthouse 1.5 miles to a new railhead after the Illinois Central Railroad bypassed Old Cherokee in 1870.
Historian Kevin Mason of the University of Northern Iowa delivered a sweeping look at how the Illinois Central Railroad shaped Cherokee’s origins, growth and identity during a program last Tuesday …
Aurelia American Legion Auxiliary members, Kathy Allen, Emelee Cargin, and Cindy Nelson presented the Aurelia third grade class with dictionaries. This is a project promoted by the National American …

Quimby Community Center receives Legacy grant

Quimby Community Cen- ter recently received a check from the Cherokee County Legacy Foundation for the flooring project in the Quimby Community Center. Pictured are Don Fiser, Deb Clark, and Mark …

Western Iowa Tech Community celebrates anniversary

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Cherokee WIT Campus’s 30th anniversary, West- ern Iowa Tech’s 60th anniversary, and the arrival of our new president, Dr. Terry Lindsay. We …

Ivarson Estate seeks more civil charges against CRMC

An attorney representing the estate of a deceased Marcus farmer is seeking to amend their lawsuit against Cherokee Regional Medical Center, citing recently held depositions that yielded "new theories of negligence" against the hospital in …

Minds on Roosevelt

Cherokee Daycare is pleased to announce an important new chapter for child care services in the Cherokee community. The organization has established a new Board of Directors and new center manager, …

Mark your calendars

Grand opening for new Aurelia fire station A grand opening for the Aurelia Fire Department’s new fire station will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4-7 p.m. Check out the new station and enjoy …
Homecoming

Crowning moment

Front row, left to right: Brielle Lux, Ella Draper, Queen Chloe Alesch, Gracie Schroeder, Aleah Lux
Back row, left to right: Conner Galles, Luke Kintigh, King Josh Peterson, Eli Harpenau, RJ Krier
MMCRU celebrated homecoming in September with Josh Peterson crowned as king and Chloe Alesch as queen during coronation Sept. 17 in Marcus.

Warrior pride on display at Homecoming 2026

The 2026 court is, from left: Nolan Reeves, Ledger DeMuth, Maddux McCoy, Jaxson Page, Cayle Dullea, Austin Droegmiller, Elsie Peterson, Reese Weiland, Kenna Van Oort, Leah Kannegieter, Ariana Hernandez and Adyson Greene.
A spirited pep rally brought together Alta-Aurelia students from all age groups Friday in the high school gym. The annual parade was cancelled on account of rain.

Scary stuff

The Chamber’s annual Scarecrow Contest is up and running, and voting goes through Saturday, Oct. 31. Vote on “Cherokee IA Chamber of Commerce” Facebook page. A comment, like or share on your …

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Opinion
Iowa weather and politics are extreme
Crazy extremes. You drive through fog and drizzle — Dude, slow down! Sister, turn your headlights on! — to slop through mud at the Iowa Lakeside Lab on West Lake Okoboji. How long have we been …
Editorials: Vote for moderation
It should surprise nobody that we urge you to vote for Democratic candidates in the November elections. Republicans have done much damage to Iowa with one-party rule over the last decade. Support …
Beef – it’s not what’s for dinner anymore
If you’re over 40, you might remember an iconic 30-second commercial produced in 1992 by the Beef Industry Council and Beef Board. It opened with a burst of fiddles playing an excerpt of Aaron …
Law enforcement protects and serves — and it should inform, too
The school field trip tragedy last week at Lake Macbride State Park again demonstrated the adage that a rumor can travel halfway around the globe while the truth is still putting on its shoes. …
Rick Morain
Campaigns shift into high gear
We’re now only about five weeks out from Election Day 2026. Iowa voters may cast their ballots at their county auditor’s office starting Wednesday, Oct. 14, about two weeks from now. If …
Sports

Braves rush for 369 yards in homecoming win over Nighthawks

The Cherokee football team hosted Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley for the Braves’ homecoming game on Friday and took a 28-21 victory. Cherokee got the ball to start and after a long ground-and-pound …

Friday Night Lights: Week 6

Cherokee won their homecoming over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 28-21 Alta-Aurelia fell 53-14 to Lawton-Bronson MMCRU took down Gehlen Catholic 27-14 Ridge View lost 48-7 to West Lyon …

Warriors score late in home loss to Eagles

AURELIA - The Alta-Aurelia football team hosted Lawton-Bronson on Friday, but the Eagles held the Warriors scoreless through the first three quarter for a 53-14 win. The Eagles started strong …

Royal football takes home win over Gehlen Catholic

MARCUS - The MMCRU football team hosted Gehlen Catholic on Friday and took a 27-14 victory to pick up another district win. The Royals struck first with a touchdown in the first quarter for a …

Raptors fall to second-ranked Wildcats

INWOOD - The Ridge View football team traveled to take on Class 1A #2-ranked West Lyon on Friday where the host Wildcats took the win at 48-7. West Lyon started strong with 14 points in the …

Obituaries
Kathy Smith
Kathy “Kat” “Beaver” Smith, 71, of Quimby passed away in her home on Sept. 24, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Quimby …
Jeffery McKenzie
Funeral services for Jeffery A. McKenzie, 61, of Aurelia were held Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Aurelia. Redig Funeral Home of Aurelia was in charge of the …
Gary McClaren
Gary D. McClaren, 75, of Sutherland passed away on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Blue Springs, Mo.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. …
Donald Magnussen
Donald “Don” Magnussen, 94, of Primghar passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at Prairie View Retirement Home in Sanborn. His funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Zion Lutheran …
Wayne Cave
Wayne L. Cave, 99, of Cherokee passed away on Tuesday evening, Sept. 29, 2026, at Accura Healthcare. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Bethlehem Lutheran …
Births
Amie and Dominick Anderson of Aurelia are thrilled to announce the birth of their new son, Blake Michael Anderson. He was born on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:20 p.m. Blake weighed 7 pounds, 0 …
Tiffany and Tyler Nelson of Hornick are thrilled to announce the birth of their new son, Tracey Layne Nelson. He was born on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 1:08 p.m. Tracey weighed 7 pounds, 8 …
Jacob and Isabelle Grinstead of Ankeny are the proud parents of their first child, a son, Henry Isaiah, born Aug. 20, 2026, in Ankeny. Grandparents include Todd and Sonja Faust of Cherokee, and …