The cast for the Akron Opera House production of “Jersey Boys” has been announced. There are 31 cast members (some play several roles) in the musical which will be presented April 11-14.

You have probably noticed that Central Valley Ag (CVA) in Akron has been removing one bin along Highway 12. The future plan is to remove all three of the bins as soon as possible, hopefully in early March. 

Six Akron-Westfield large group speech teams competed at District Speech which was held Jan. 20 at Sioux City East High School. From Districts, all six groups advanced to State held at Spencer High School Feb. 3. From State, two A-W groups qualified for the 49th annual All-State Festival which will be Feb. 17 at Iowa State University.

The Iowa Falls Times Citizen was named as the Iowa Newspaper Association 2024 “Newspaper of the Year.” The award was announced during the association’s Awards Ceremony on February 8. 

Presentations were made to winners of the 2024 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests, which were judged by the Illinois Press Association. 

By Sharon Frerichs

What a Souper Bowl of Caring morning at Immanuel Lutheran Church Feb. 11! 

An informational meeting for the 2025 all-class reunion will be held at the Akron Library meeting room at 7:00 pm., Wednesday, February 21.

By Dodie Hook

Akron Hometowner

The Akron Opera House was alive with a big band sound Saturday, Feb. 3 when the Prairie Winds Jazz ensemble performed music from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. A nice crowd turned out to dance and listen to the music.

The agriculture industry has a promising future and there’s a long-time organization that supports growing that foundation. FFA or Future Farmers of America is a nationwide youth organization that grows the next generation of ag industry contributors. There’s a thriving chapter in the Akron-Westfield district and it’s creating memorable experiences for its advisor and current Agriculture Education teacher, JaCee Hogue.

The new normal for last week was fog. Every morning people woke up to heavy fog making visibility difficult at times. As a matter of fact, the area was under a dense fog advisory every morning. Monday (Feb. 5) was so bad you could barely see from one end of the business district on Reed St. to the other end (photo). Temperatures remained mostly in the 30s and hitting the 40s earlier in the week.

The Akron Knights of Columbus hosted a Pancake, Sausage, and Egg Breakfast Feb. 4 at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. A nice crowd turned out to partake in the delicious breakfast of made to order eggs, pancakes, and sausage.

By South Dakota State Representative Kevin Jensen

Ann Van Beek will be 90 on February 11, 2024. Her family would like to honor that celebration with birthday cards mailed to her at Akron Care Center, 991 Hwy 3, Akron, Iowa 51001.

Thirty-two Akron-Westfield students were inducted into the National Honor Society Jan. 25. Sponsor is Emily Miller. 

Front row (l-r) Matthew Beierschmitt, Tanner Frerichs, Noah Boie, Campbell Anderson, Daynen McKee, Sam Miller, Tatum Wilken, Hayden Wahlberg, Dawson Trobaugh. 

By Dodie Hook

Akron Hometowner

The Akron-Westfield Educational Education Foundation (AWEEF) honored its charter members and foundation donors by recognizing them during the halftime of the home girls basketball game Jan. 26.