I recently participated in a book study with colleagues over “13 Ways To Kill Your Community” by author Doug Griffiths. Griffiths visits common issues that communities face when they begin to struggle and see population…

As the holiday season unfolds, small businesses in Iola are gearing up for what they hope will be a festive and prosperous time. Business leaders like Jock’s Nitch Manager Amber Wood are expressing optimism about…

Local families can honor the veterans in their lives with a banner displayed downtown for Veterans Day.  The Allen County Veterans Committee is offering the opportunity to display such banners on light poles around the…

A downtown restaurant remains shuttered after a Friday evening fire, but the quick response of Iola fire crews may have helped save the historic building from destruction. The fire at Rookies Sports Bar & Grill,…

A group of local merchants is offering up a free night at the movies Friday, from the comfy confines of Iola’s downtown square. The 1993 baseball classic “The Sandlot” will be shown on a 20-foot…

When opportunity came knocking, Taylor Salzwedel opened the door to a new location for her business, Eccentric Nail Studio. The nail studio has moved a few doors over to 23 E. Madison Ave. It’s a…

The owners of a downtown coffee shop plan to open a drive-thru coffee business on U.S. 169, northeast of the city.  Gabe and Myra Gleason, with partner and landowner Jenn Chester, plan to break ground…

Having a state park in Iola would be a boon to the community, several downtown merchants agreed. In a short survey of proprietors along Madison Avenue, most said they supported an effort to convert the…

LE ROY — The loss of one of Le Roy’s oldest buildings is leading to a new housing venture for working-class families. Construction is nearly complete on a new triplex in downtown Le Roy at…

Santa Claus made his first visit of the season at downtown Iola on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a ride around town with the Iola Fire Department. The event was sponsored by the Iola Area Chamber…