Weeping willow

Gregory R. Norfleet/West Branch Times National Park Service’s Michael Edwards (in backhoe) and Tim Cooke started June 24 cleaning up a large section of a willow tree torn apart by a heavy storm that blew through West Branch the night before. The willow, just west of the Parkside Bridge and just north of the Visitor Center, was heavily rotted. Edwards said the rest of the tree would likely be removed in the near future. West Branch Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman said that the storm dropped a limb on a power line and a tree fell on a trailer in Iowa City on the outer edge of the WBFD’s district, but the gusts of up to 70 miles per hour caused no injuries. A survey of the area found a large tree across the driveway of Greg and Faye Tucker on 280th Street northeast of town, but no other significant damage.

College recruiters visit the high school pretty regularly, and students talk to them often without parents’ knowledge.
But what if a child abuse investigator appears at the elementary school? Would parents want to know if their child will be subjected to invasive questions?

Four left: Flood victims steadily finding way back home
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 01, 2009
When the floodwaters of 2008 began receding and the long-term recovery work got under way, a call went out to the federal government for temporary housing.

Wanted: School board candidates
News · July 01, 2009
West Branch Board of Education seats currently held by Carolyn Harold, Kathy Knoop and Mike Owen are up for re-election in September and applications for candidates become available Monday, July 6.

Warden kicked around Eagle Scout ideas first
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 01, 2009
When Tyler Warden realized he had to change his Eagle Scout project from adding bleachers to seeding the Lions Park soccer field, that seemed like it would not be as expensive or as much work.

Heat causes minor road problems
News · July 01, 2009
The heat and humidity of the past week caused the tar in seal-coat roads to “bleed through,” West Branch Public Works Director Brian Brennan said Thursday.

Hoover Elementary preschool program earns NAEYC accreditation to put it among best
News · July 01, 2009
Hoover Preschool located in West Branch has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

Saturday, Hoover Park living history interpreters will party like its 1899
News · July 01, 2009
Celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4 at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.