Area News Highlights

LINCOLN PRAIRIE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHEER CHAMPS. Pictured with their medals and trophy are the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Knights cheer team. They earned their awards at the annual Lincoln Prairie Conference boys’ basketball tournament as Champions of the Cheer competition. They were judged during the Knight’s games in the tourney which were held between January…

CERRO GORDO SPELLING BEE PARTICIPANTS. Students in grades 4-8 that participated in the Spelling Bee included Miranda Miller, Jackson Navratil, Lane Champion, Tristan Garver (alternate), Joshua Callaway, Hunter French, Noah Blomgren, Kendall Callawy, Mathis Nailer, Maci Willard, Willow Harner, Savanna Yowell, Sawyer Barton, Juliette Chavez, Delaney Goodman, and Kaleah White.

Pictured are Melissa Chitwood, Carol Drayton, Judy Greene, Kathy Harris, Elaine Ginalick, Kathleen Glenn, and Martha Lynch. Remember 2025? We helped Villas of Hollybrook by collecting supplies for their activity needs. Three members were seen manning the intersection of Buchanan and Center Street during the Kirby Derby. Some of our members were seen participating in…

Clark Ryder provided a total of 10 hours in volunteer services at Salvation Army kettle stands over two weekends, here taking inside cover out of the snow and cold at Bement Mini Mart during a Saturday shift. The Bement Unit of the Salvation Army experienced a mixed set of results during its 2025 annual December…

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION. The Hope Welty Public Library in Cerro Gordo hosted a retirement party for Director Shari Rawlings on Wednesday, January, 28. Rawlings has worked at the library for over 19 years. She started as the children’s librarian and has been the director for the past 13 years. Her retirement plans include spending more time…

2026 BEMENT SPELLING BEE WINNERS. Bement CUSD #5 held their annual Spelling Bee on January 27 with 18 students competing. They went 10 rounds before sixth grader Olivia Dalton correctly spelled “dissolving” to win first place. Pictured are Maddy Marshall, 2nd place (8th grade) Olivia Dalton, 1st place (6th grade), and Avree Harper, Alternate (6th…

By Doris Elmore Staff Writer The Atwood Police Department has been busy the past couple weeks with two unusual incidents. According to information from Atwood Police Chief Joe Duncan, on Sunday, January 25, the Atwood Police Department K9 unit, Officer Thatcher Rodmaker and K9 Hank responded to assist the Monticello Police Department (MPD) regarding a…