Et Cetera

Mount Mercy University recognizes spring graduates

The students listed below graduated from Mount Mercy University in August 2015. Graduates were part of a spring commencement ceremony held in May. Belle Plaine,  Bonnie Koeppen, Mast...

Area farms win ribbons at State Fair Spotted Swine Show

Niehaus and Feldman Genetics of Greene took top honors at the Spotted Swine Show at the 2015 Iowa State Fair by taking home the Grand Champion Boar and Champion Gilt banners along with Premier Exh...

Belle Plaine's Brecht Show Pigs wins State Fair Hampshire boar title

 Brecht Show Pigs of Belle Plaine claimed the Grand Champion Boar title in the Hampshire Swine show held August 21 at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Bakker Bros. Genetics of Dike was awarded t...

MDA fund-raising: Casey\'s clerk changing lives, $1 at a time

Lauren Phams holds photos of the two children sponsored by Casey's and cards she has sold. When the Camp Courageous kids spend their time at camp in 2016, they will be joined by people who have helped make their experience possible. One of those people will be Lauren Phams, a clerk a...

NCCC’s Maple 6 serves the blind and visually impaired with the Muskegon Lions

The team poses with the director of Pioneer Trails, Karl Dewitt. By: Luke Bowes and Megan Crissy Maple 6 is currently serving in Muskegon, MI with United Way of the Lakeshore. However, the team had the opportunity to take part in an Independent Service Proje...

The Jill g. Lockard-Bopp Scholarship available only to V-S, CPU and BC students

Jill g. Lockard-Bopp A new scholarship opportunity has been created for students who are graduating and seek to pursue a career in the performing arts, or are dedicated to helping others pursue such dreams, such as pe...

Working Exhibit: Local girls receive certificate of merit at State Fair

Samantha Walton and Kate Hyland Samantha Walton and Kate Hyland performed their working exhibit last Wednesday at the State Fair on Monster Bookmarks. They received a certificate of merit. They were able to watch many other worki...

Kupka wins State Fair chicken wings competition

Carrie Kupka of Walford won first place and a $75 cash award in the Goldie's Chicken Lickin' Wings competition, judged Saturday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Susan Hanke of Clive earned...

Jim Kelly's Rosemary earns State Fair Herb contest ribbon

Top herb growers competed in the Herb's Herbs and Culinary Herbs divisions of the Vegetable Crops competition judged Tuesday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Charles Cretors of Urbandale won B...

New Year, new teacher for VS FFA

Past FFA Pres. Riley Ries introduces FFA teacher Melissa Heeren during the May banquet.      With the new school year beginning, many people are getting excited; it’s time for new experiences, new friends, and a new agriculture teacher! Mrs. Heeren, a previous ag...