By Julie Ann Madden
Even though he’s a new face at Security National Bank in Akron, he is a lifelong Akron resident.
Austin Willer is the bank’s new ag loan representative. He replaces Anthony Behrens who recently resigned.
He is the son of Janet and Grayling Willer of rural Akron, and he has one sibling, Chet.
The Akron-Westfield Class of 2008 alumnus just finished earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Life Sciences with a teacher certification option from Iowa State University last weekend.
Willer and his fiancee, Emily Todd, the daughter of Deb and Stan
by Steve Peterson
At the Plymouth County supervisors’ meeting May 7, Northwest Iowa Developers Association dues payment won supervisors’ support by a 3-2 vote.
Chairman Jim Henrich cast the deciding vote in favor of paying the $18,000 dues, based on .75 cents per capita, along with Supervisors Jack Guenthner and Mark Loutsch. Supervisors Craig Anderson and Don Kass dissented.
Neal Adler of Le Mars Chamber of Commerce made a presentation
by Steve Peterson
From Siouxland Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) to local preschools, government services are facing life during a sequester of federal funds, which started when automatic spending cuts took place earlier this year.
“There is a panic in the streets. SIMPCO has about 20 members and could have 20 more, but even if it gets all of them, it is only $250 per capita fee. They are looking at ways of enticing them to come in. We’re
By Julie Ann Madden
With Union County officials building a new county shed on their Elk Point lot near Mantex Load King, the county’s Spink Shop property may not be needed by the Highway Department.
Therefore, commissioners have been discussing whether to sell it or use it for another county purpose.
Over the past few meeting, the commissioners had discussed options and at their March 19 meeting, the talk was
By Julie Ann Madden
Twenty-four purchase options for land where the Hyperion Energy Center was to be built were released on April 29, according to Union County Register of Deeds Jana Foltz.
“I believe this is all the Union County parcels originally recorded have been released,” said Foltz.
The release of purchase options were all dated either Nov. 19, 2012 or Dec. 5, 2012 and were for land parcels owned
By Julie Ann Madden
Two Union County church properties faced losing their property “tax exempt” status because the people living in their parsonages are not clergy.
Officials for Nathanael Lutheran Church of Alcester, S.D., and Roseni Lutheran Church of rural Beresford had received notices that Union County Director of Equalization Dawn Steckelberg was planning to recommend revoking their tax exemptions per South Dakota Codified Law 10-4-9, which states church properties should be used exclusively for religious purposes.
By Julie Ann Madden
On Monday, May 8, Akron-Westfield students learned a lesson in community service.
High school students were paired with community businesses and entities and spent the day performing community service — whether it was Painting fire hydrants like Kelcie Wakeman, Kristen Foley and Ryleigh Schnell.
Students voluntarily participated in the school district’s annual
by Steve Peterson
Plymouth County Road Engineer Tom Rohe explained projects are ongoing or will begin soon as construction season is underway on area roads.
As of April 30, Ten Point Construction was working on patching an area from Iowa Highway 3 south on County Road K-22. It had “one day left,” said Rohe, pending weather.
Bridge work on Fawn Avenue one mile south of Iowa Highway 3, done by
On April 23, The Akron Hometowner was shown the great progress that has been made in the last few weeks at the New Care Center Project on the eastern edge of Akron.
The brick pillars at the main entrance and the bricks along the lower exterior walls are being installed.
By Julie Ann Madden
At their April 16 meeting, a report on the city’s current financial status led to the council deciding to review the city’s utility rates.
According to Westfield City Clerk Barbette Grimm, the city’s water utility is operating in the red after recent equipment purposes. Plus, the wastewater rates look good now but with upcoming upgrades and maintenance needs, revenues will soon not keep up with expenditures.
by Steve Peterson
Akron-Westfield boys’ track and field team prepared for the State Qualifying Meet with solid performances at the Heartland Relays held May 6 at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn in Marcus.
by Steve Peterson
Akron-Westfield boys golf team earned the third and final spot to advance from the Hinton Class 1A Sectional on May 10 at Deer Run Golf Course in Hinton.
by Steve Peterson
Kayla Tindall and Dana Hedlund earned All-War Eagle Conference honors for the Akron-Westfield girls’ golf team, which finished fourth at the WEC Girls Golf Meet, May 7 at Willow Creek Golf Course in
by Steve Peterson
Two Akron-Westfield boy golfers were named to the All-War Eagle Conference golf teams.
Taylor James was named to the First Team and Cory Eskra was
Akron-Westfield boys baseball squad will open the 2013 season with a home clash with Kingsley-Pierson on May 20. Games begin at 6:00 p.m.
Other early season games for Coach Gordy Johnson’s team are May 21
by Steve Peterson
Akron-Westfield’s Cory Eskra won the War Eagle Conference Boys Meet’s top spot as he beat Unity Christian’s Drake Wrather in a playoff.
The Westerners’ senior
by Steve Peterson
On a great night for a track and field meet and the final meet before the girls’ State Qualifying Meet, the Lady Westerners placed sixth at the Heartland Relays hosted by Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn in
by Steve Peterson
Akron-Westfield senior Garrett Wall qualified for the Iowa Co-Ed State Track and Field Meet by winning the 3,200-Meter Run at the West Sioux Boys Qualifying Meet on May
by Steve Peterson
“Both the boys and the girls’ golf teams have a lot of balance. Three boys have been medalist this year and two girls. Both teams are in the top third of the conference
by Steve Peterson
Akron-Westfield Girls Track and Field Team had some solid efforts at the War Eagle Conference meet April 30 as it prepared for the May 9 Girls Track and Field State Qualifying Meet, also
Lea Graber of Freeman, SD, a senior at Freeman Academy, has been awarded one of approximately 625 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarships for 2013-2014.
Amanda (Larson) Beguhl, Class of 1998 Akron-Westfield graduate, has received a Master of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb., through the
The Albert E. Hoschler American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 186 has named the 2013 Girls State recipient. It is Akron-Westfield junior Maggi Liebetrau.
She is the
By Julie Ann Madden
The Akron-Westfield High School and school library will be a little different come fall.
Two longtime English/Spanish high school teachers and a Special Education
Vernon Jurgensen, a lifelong Akron resident, celebrated his 85th Birthday on May 5. Cake was served after worship on Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a family potluck dinner.
Kerry Jo Heeren of Akron has been sewing costumes and uniforms for the Akron-Westfield Danz Squad for nearly 10 years. Her mother taught her to sew and she improved her skills by completing
Recently, the Plymouth County Supervisors honored county employees with more than 15 years of service. From left: Secondary Roads County Engineer Tom Rohe, 30 years; Deputy Attorney Amy Oetken, 15 years; Second Roads Department employees
Heidi Renken of Alcester was a recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence on April 29, 2013. Heidi is a sixth grader at Alcester-Hudson Elementary and is the great-granddaughter of Goldie Friske of Akron. She is the
by Steve Peterson
“If the doctor gives the OK on Tuesday (April 30), I’ll be on the boat on Wednesday (May 1),” said Joby Beavers of Akron.
By Julie Ann Madden
Security National Bank has a new customer service representative at the teller window and the ag loaning office will soon be vacant.
By Julie Ann Madden
At their March 26 meeting, Plymouth County Supervisors sought legal counsel on
By Julie Ann Madden
At their March 19 meeting, Union County Treasurer Myron Hertel informed the
By Julie Ann Madden
Soon, the computer networking woes employees at the Union County Courthouse deal
By Julie Ann Madden
County Road C-38 is now closed east of its intersection with County
By Julie Ann Madden
After going into executive session for five legal issues with States Attorney
