By Sabrina Escalante 

Akron-Westfield Community School District is getting ready to celebrate Homecoming Week on Sept. 21-25, with students invited to participate in a week of candy-themed dress-up days leading up to the big game and Homecoming festivities.

New Horizons United Church of Christ hosted “Taco Plates on the Run!”, at the Akron Area Farmers Market, Aug. 12. Pictured in the photo: back row, Wanda Oltmanns and Joellen Toben. In the front row, Carla Winquist, Carol Brown, and Joy Porsch. One of the Church’s tenets is mission.

By Sabrina Escalante

Akron will soon welcome a new officer to its police department following Conner Wendel’s graduation from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, Aug. 21.

By Sabrina Escalante 

For Brooke Sterling, jewelry is about more than an accessory. It is about creating memories and celebrating the relationships that matter most.

By Sabrina Escalante 

The Great Akron Scarecrow Festival, organized by the Friendship and Service Club, is once again calling on community members to put their creativity on display with the annual scarecrow contest.

The Hometowner 

Concerns over asbestos at the old Westfield school have been raised by Westfield Mayor Michael Bohlke, who said he was informed that asbestos was found on the south side of the school around the Fourth of July.

The Hometowner 

By Sabrina Escalante

The Akron City Council discussed several city projects, personnel matters, business development and utility concerns during its Aug. 18 regular meeting, including continued delays with the industrial park project and plans for a new utility billing clerk.

By Sabrina Escalante 

For Akron mom Katie Clarey, motherhood has been both rewarding and challenging. After experiencing firsthand how important connection and community can be for mothers, Clarey decided to create a space where local moms could come together, meet new people and simply get out of the house.

By Sabrina Escalante

Akron’s Wesley United Methodist Church (UMC) has officially welcomed Jake Holck as its new minister, bringing to the congregation a minister whose work has long centered on faith, compassion and walking alongside people during some of life’s most difficult moments.

By Sabrina Escalante 

The Westfield city council spent much of its recent meeting, held on Monday Aug. 17, reviewing financial shortfalls, questions surrounding hiring authority and city equipment use, while also preparing for a public hearing concerning a formal letter of charge against the mayor.

By Sabrina Escalante 

A petition, organized by Westfield council member, Beth Terpstra, seeking the removal of Westfield Mayor Michael W. Bohlke from office has been filed with the Westfield City Council under Iowa Code Section 66.29.

By Sabrina Escalante

After four years in Akron, the business formerly known as Lazy Lanes is entering a new chapter.

The Hometowner 

By Sabrina Escalante

For Kaylie Meinen, becoming part of the Plymouth County Fair royalty was about more than wearing a crown. It was an opportunity to meet new people, make memories and give back to the community that encouraged her to step outside of her comfort zone.

The Hometowner

By Sabrina Escalante

The Akron-Westfield Community School District Board of Education approved several items during its recent meeting, including a substitute bus driver contract for the upcoming school year and continued work on district policies.

The Hometowner 

By Sabrina Escalante 

Akron-Westfield students walk into the cafeteria, they see a breakfast or lunch waiting for them. What they do not see is the planning, preparation and teamwork that happens behind the scenes to make sure hundreds of meals are ready to serve daily.