OTTUMWA — Ever since Shounam Ches was 13 years old, he knew he wanted to have his own photography and videography business. Later on, his brother, Jey, developed the same passion.

OTTUMWA — Destination advocacy training launched in November 2018 to provide real-world customer service and engagement skills, advocacy for organizations, and how to request referrals and reviews during engagements with customers or clients. Now it’s expanding.

OTTUMWA — County supervisors decided to not ban contractor Tim Wright from county projects after he missed deadlines on a project.

ELDON — Grant Wood wasn’t around to see it, but you have to think he’d have enjoyed the birthday party Eldon threw for him.

OTTUMWA — The Wapello County Historical Museum opened up a celebration of women exhibition Friday. Dr. Rick Woten, the museum’s director, said the exhibit pays tribute to the centennial of the 19th amendment and highlights Wapello County women who have made positive impacts in the community.

OTTUMWA — In her junior year of high school, Brei Holmes didn’t attend prom because she could not afford a prom dress.

OTTUMWA — The Alzheimer’s Association is having the Walk to End Alzheimer’s kickoff party from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, on the second floor of the Hub.

OTTUMWA — Lynelle Diers, Wapello County Public Health clinical director, has been working as director for 25 years and in public health for over 30 years.

ELDON — Heather Buckley, Cardinal Elementary School principal, was overjoyed when the Iowa School Performance profile released the school’s ratings and identified Cardinal Elementary as high performing.

OTTUMWA — Wapello County supervisors have long sparred with the state over mental health services. Now they say state requirements prevented a tax decrease.

OTTUMWA — Thousands of people gathered to watch the 2019 Bull Riders of America (BOA) Finals.

OTTUMWA — Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a suffragist, traveled time from the 1800s to share her story at the Wapello County Historical Society and Museum Clubhouse Saturday in celebration of the centennial of the 19th amendment.

ELDON — Cardinal has a special election scheduled for March 3, 2020.

OTTUMWA — It was calm and collected at the cowboy breakfast Friday inside Bridge View, until a bull hit the fence and dirt came flying across the room.

OTTUMWA — Jennifer Robbins, Wapello County general assistance director and South Central Behavioral Health Region (SCBHR) CEO, said she puts on a lot of hats when it comes to serving on both organizations.

OTTUMWA — Jessica Blanchard is from England. Her husband Austin is from Iowa. They met in Australia.

ELDON — Katie Streeby, Cardinal School show choir director and drama instructor, always wanted to direct her own high school show choir. It’s a thought she played around for some time before she started it in August 2019.

HEDRICK — The ninth annual Bras for a Cause (BFAC) will be held April 4, 2020 at the Carl Craft Civic Center in Hedrick.

OTTUMWA — County supervisors and Sheriff Don Phillips believe installation of law center cameras will improve safety.

OTTUMWA — Parents and bands gathered for Saturday’s 16th annual Sweets and Sounds. The event featured Sudden Impact (Ottumwa High School’s show choir), OHS band and jazz band, and the Evans Middle School jazz band and show choir.

OTTUMWA — There were a number of topics discussed at Saturday’s legislative forum such as abortion, mental health services for children, poverty, treatment of races and more.

OTTUMWA — The Produce with a Purpose program has had a successful year according to Food Box Coordinator Hilary Lanman. Now, she hopes to continue the program’s growth going into 2020.

OTTUMWA — Faithe-Built Architecture isn’t your typical firm. Founder Ben Foote said it’s faith-based.

OTTUMWA — Tax season is just around the corner and United Way of Wapello County Executive Director Ali Wilson is looking for volunteers to help with the tax filing process for United Way’s Volunteer Income Assistance (VITA) program.

OTTUMWA — Main Street Executive Director Fred Zeisger wanted to surprise county supervisors Tuesday by giving them a full picture of how Main Street Ottumwa has changed.

OTTUMWA — Students and their coaches from 24 schools gathered inside Ottumwa High School Saturday to participate in the Iowa High School Speech Association’s District Large Group Contest.

OTTUMWA — For 49 years the Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference (CCCC) has herded its way to Ottumwa. The two-day conference gives vendors an opportunity to sell their services and for producers and researchers to talk about farming techniques and agricultural-based topics and issues.

BLAKESBURG — Cheryl Talbert has a vision to renovate a former auto repair shop into the new Blakesburg library. Fulfilling this goal, she said, takes hard work and monetary assistance.

OTTUMWA — Don Lewis became the newest Wapello County Veterans Affairs Commissioner of five at the beginning of January. In his new role, he wants to do his part to help provide services to veterans and encourage Elks members to help veterans, too.

OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Small Business Alliance (OSBA) has been growing since it started in October 2019. Now there are 114 businesses associated with the alliance. Founder Connie Hammersley-Wilson couldn’t be happier.