Iowa House Republicans approved a bill Thursday banning local governments from providing anti-discrimination protections for groups not listed in the state’s Civil Rights Act. more

Calling all Future Durant Kindergarten Students: Call Holly at Durant Elementary School at 785-4433 to be placed on the 2026/2027 class list.  You will be sent information for our March 13 round up.  If your child currently attends Durant Preschool, you do not need to call. more

Last Thursday, the West Liberty School District announced it would name its new athletic center the West Liberty Foods Athletic Complex. more

Each year, the number of Iowans—both adults and children—impacted by human trafficking and sextortion continues to grow. In the past year alone, reports of child sex trafficking grew by 950%, boosted by thousands of reports of AI generated blackmail and online enticement. more

The Muscatine County Parkinson Support Group will meet at the Wesley Family Life Center, 114 West 4th Street in Muscatine, on Thursday, March 19 at 3 p.m.  more

On Saturday, Feb. 28, St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilton held a Trivia Night. In addition to being a fun event, the night was also a fundraiser for the youth group, meant for grades 7-12.  more

Commander Jean Ahlrichs called the March 3 meeting to order at 6 p.m. There were 10 members and one guest present. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Bill Voss posted the POW/MIA flag. Roger Bender offered a Prayer. Tom Taylor gave the finance report. A motion passed to accept the finance report. more

Last week, it was announced that Bill Norton, former Wilton resident and current Tipton farmer, won this year’s Iowa Holstein Association’s Master Breeders award. After the announcement, Association member Linda Pagel shared the following about Norton and his accomplishments: more

Wilton Police Department 2/28/26 – 3/5/26 more

The Durant-Wilton Food Pantry, located at 408 Cedar Street in Wilton, will be open Tuesday March 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. more

As urban farms and community gardens work to improve productivity, reduce food waste and build healthy soils, on-site composting is becoming more essential. The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program has released a new publication, “The ABCs of Urban Composting,” to help communities and urban growers compost safely, effectively and in compliance with state and local regulations. more

The University of Northern Iowa is expanding its education in artificial intelligence with two new bachelor’s degree programs and additional certification. more

Mushroom gatherers who wish to sell wild-harvested mushrooms can attend certification workshops held in Ames on March 28 and April 11. The Iowa Wild-Harvested Mushroom Certification is required for those selling any of the eight state-regulated mushrooms in Iowa, and participants will learn how to distinguish those eight from look-alikes that could be poisonous. Anyone with an interest in mushrooms, including those who sell them, can attend the workshop, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. more

Durant Police Department 2/27/26 – 3/6/26 more

Online prediction markets allow users to put money on the outcome of almost anything — this weekend’s NBA game, the next supreme leader of Iran, whether the government will confirm the existence of aliens. more

As communities’ concerns grow over rising electricity prices and the environmental effects of data centers, some local and state officials want to halt development of the facilities. more

In southwest Iowa, the fields can be dry, sloped or have rough soil that is poor for growing corn or soybeans and is prone to erosion and runoff. more

Iowa House lawmakers unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would provide certain military members with a waiver for their public university education. more

In the time since it was first established, the Durant Community School District’s backpack program has been a beneficial resource in helping the students and families within its district fulfill their needs outside of school hours. more

Last week, the West Liberty Community School District, in coordination with representatives from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and the HNI Corporation in Muscatine, celebrated the first success of its Registered Apprenticeship Program. more