On Saturday, Jan. 31, the members of the Muscatine County Cattlemen’s Association gathered at the Muscatine County Fair’s Kent Event Center for its annual cattlemen banquet. more

Aspiring food business owners are invited to attend a day-long workshop led by food business and food safety experts with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Food Innovation and Business Hub. The workshop, “Plan, Prep, Profit: Starting a Food Business,” will provide practical guidance for turning food ideas or hobbies into viable, compliant businesses and will be held on March 13 at the Digital Ag Innovation Lab in Ames. more

Two Iowa community colleges are set to expand their commercial driver’s license training programs with federal funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. more

No matter what the occasion or the arrangement, creating the perfect bouquet for someone is something that Charles Brooke has always enjoyed. “Truly, February is all about flowers,” he says, as he continues preparing for one of his busiest days of the year. more

Last week, three students from Durant Elementary School were recognized for their essay writing skills. 3rd grade student Isabella Terrell, 4th grade student Hayzel Schroeder, and 5th grade student Ruby Tady were all top winners in this year’s VFW-sponsored essay contests. more

On Monday, Jan. 26, the Wilton City Council set a public hearing for February 9 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall to outline the plans, specifications, estimate of cost, and bid process to replace the Cedar Street water main. Robert Kreimeyer, superintendent of Wilton Water and Waste Water, completed a survey on the five worst mains in the city. The First Street main has been completed. The Cedar Street main is the next on the list and has been a problem main for some time. City Administrator Jeff Horne informed the council, “We are cash flowing this with our water fund (no debt).” Bids will be tabulated on March 2, at 10:00 a.m. with the hope that the project could break ground around mid-March. more

Last Wednesday, Jan. 28, for the second year in a row, the West Liberty High School Varsity Jazz Band had the opportunity to record a song alongside a professional soloist for what has become a great annual project for Eastern Iowa’s young jazz players. more

The Owl Glass Puppetry Center,319 North Calhoun Street in West Liberty, is once again inviting couples out for a night of laughs, sweets, and romance. For the 28th year, Eulenspiegel Puppets will be hosting “Puppets and Pastries” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. more

With the summer baseball season only a few months away, the Wilton Parks and Recreation Department has begun putting together a list of individuals interested in umpiring for local youth baseball and softball games. more

Durant residential customers will receive letters regarding sump pump inspections that MSA Professional Services Inc. of Bettendorf plans to conduct beginning in March. more

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa, released a statement on Durant resident Bryce Kenneth Gregoire, 31, who was sentenced to 84 months (seven years) in federal prison for the transportation of child pornography. more

Trump, known for his obsession with crowd size, should have been thrilled that three thousand people came to greet him at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, IA on Tuesday when he showed up an hour late…except two thirds of them were protesting outside. more

Last Wednesday, Wilton Mayor Keith Stanley stopped by the Wilton Public Library, sharing a book with that day’s group of second graders during Celebrity Story Time. more

Durant Police Department 1/16/26 – 1/29/26 more

Wilton Police Department 1/22/26 – 1/28/26 more

Roof, Gerdes, Erlbacher, PLC, Certified Public Accountants, Des Moines, released an audit report on Wilton Municipal Light & Power System.  more

A survey developed by University of Iowa business researchers and sent across the U.S. has yielded surprising results as to how people are using artificial intelligence tools in their personal and professional lives, prompting a drive to dive deeper. more

Regional hay producers are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. more

Iowa Democrats were approved Saturday to present their case to national Democrats on why the state’s Democratic caucuses should go in the early presidential nominating window in 2028. more

Legislation to have the Iowa Board of Regents study the possibility of bringing back an Iowa State University event with a history of disruption moved out of an Iowa House subcommittee Thursday. more