As corn and soybean fields continue to grow and dry weather persists, the Akron Fire-Rescue Department is urging motorists to use extra caution on rural roads.
Officials said crops have grown significantly in recent weeks, creating blind spots at many intersections and field entrances. Combined with hot, dry conditions, gravel roads have become increasingly dusty, further reducing visibility for drivers.

By Sabrina Escalante
Akron Hometowner
 

By Sabrina Escalante
Akron Hometowner

The Hometowner 

By Sabrina Escalante

The Akron-Westfield FFA chapter partnered with the Akron Farmers Market for its season’s FFA Night, giving members an opportunity to serve the community while highlighting the importance of agriculture and locally grown food.

The Hometowner 

Fleurish Flower Farm will welcome Morgan & The Sticks back to perform during Fleurish Fest on July 26, 3 – 5 p.m., making the farm’s second season of hosting the popular summer event.

Morgan Higman, a 2025 graduate of Akron-Westfield, is the lead singer for Morgan & The Sticks and this will be her second time performing at Fleurish Fest.

Amanda Gerritson recorded a hole-in-one June 20 at the Akron Golf Course. Gerritson aced the par-3 sixth hole using a TaylorMade Qi 8-iron. In recognition of the achievement, Akron Peoples Bank Customer Service Representative Kellie Nygard presented Gerritson with a commemorative putter. Hole-in-ones are among golf’s rarest accomplishments, making the feat a memorable milestone for golfers of all skill levels.

Chubs Country Store has been recognized as one of northwest Iowa’s top convenience stores after earning second place in the 2026 Best of N’West Iowa People’s Choice Awards.
The Akron business was named the runner-up in the Best Convenience Store category, an honor determined through community voting across northwest Iowa. The recognition highlights the store’s continued commitment to serving customers and the surrounding community.

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol partnered Monday evening, July 6, on a traffic safety enforcement project aimed at improving compliance with Iowa’s hands-free driving law.
The enforcement effort took place from 8 p.m. to midnight on state highways throughout Plymouth County. Deputies and troopers focused on identifying motorists violating Iowa’s hands-free cell phone law, which has been in effect since July 1, 2025.

Akron is receiving statewide attention after being featured by “Wandermore in Iowa,” a popular travel and history project dedicated to highlighting every incorporated community in the state.

The Akron Development Corporation has announced the sale of the first commercial lot in the West Akron Industrial Park Second Addition, marking an important milestone in Phase 1 of the city’s ongoing economic development efforts.
The first parcel sold is Block 1, Lot 1, a 3.46-acre site located along Foundry Road on the west side of the development. The sale represents the first business investment in the newly platted industrial park.

The Akron-Westfield FFA officer team met Tuesday for its annual Program of Activities (POA) planning meeting, where members began organizing goals, events and activities for the upcoming school year.
Following the planning session, officers spent time together at Great Shots, combining team-building with preparation for the year ahead.
The officer team said it is looking forward to unveiling its plans and activities for the 2026-27 school year in the coming months.
 

The Akron Public Library’s Dive Deep reading program officially started the first of June and many children have dived deep into reading for the summer. The young patrons of the Akron library have enjoyed many grand summer events. 
Lora Pierce, the Akron Public Library director, created the program with the help of her staff to plan events, activities, and reading goals. 

Mark your calendars for the Akron-Westfield Youth Swing & Toss Dual fundraiser for Saturday, July 11, at the Akron Golf Course. Tee off will be at 9 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. 
A silent auction will be held for folks that wish to bid on various items, all of which were donated by community members. Some of of the silent auction items include various gift baskets with themes of coffee, hand-made items, hair styling gift basket, and much more. 

Alice Simon, 87, was the wisest teacher present for the Akron-Westfield teacher gathering that was held June 27. Simon retired in 1997 and moved from Akron shortly after. She returned to the Akron-Westfield school grounds after almost three decades. 
Nearly 45 guests attended the gathering: 33 teachers, dating back to 1966- present, six alumni, and three welcome guests. 

By Kim Fickett

Known locally for her contributions and dedication to making the “Best 5 Days of Summer” one of the best county fairs in Iowa for the past 19 years as a fair board member, now Candice Nash Farrer has been recognized at a state level as well.