We cannot think of anything greater than the start of school that regularly gets families to seriously shift gears from summer to fall. But while we settle in to new routines and turn our focus from a more leisurely pace, many families in Rochester and Coralville and Iowa City are still struggling with the aftermath of June flooding and we should not forget our neighbors’ ongoing needs.

Soapbox Philosophy: Historical tale worth second look at graves
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008
Recently, my 6-year-old son, Connor, blurted out an old, wise saying that I have barely heard since my own childhood. I don’t know what exactly he said first, but he nudged his older brother and pointed.

PPEL funds went long way this summer
by Craig Artist, School Superintendent · Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008
This past summer the maintenance staff worked a lot on improving the facilities of the West Branch Community Schools. Not only did they do the customary cleaning, waxing, painting, outside clean-up and minor maintenance, they completed the following projects:

Main Street Matters: Ness off to a busy start at Main Street
by Rod J. Ness, Main Street West Branch · Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008
“Hitting the ground running,” is my response when someone inquires about my new position as West Branch Main Street Program Director. In the few weeks I’ve been in this position, Main Street has been involved in:

Letter: Apology for tow truck owner, but not victim
Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008

Letter: Full statement from AuTow to city council
Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008

Letter: Let’s review some of those ‘stellar’ ideas
Opinions/Editorials · August 27, 2008

Editorial: Parents’ bigger influences
Opinions/Editorials · August 20, 2008
This week, once again, our community’s children load up their backpacks and lunch boxes and head off to another year of school and sports and music and art and numerous other extra-curricular activities.

Soapbox Philosophy: Coaches, kids know how to make it fun
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · August 20, 2008
Last week, the West Branch High School cheerleaders took a break from practice to pose for a picture.

Letter: Conservatives are the party of ideas and action
Opinions/Editorials · August 20, 2008

Letter: Drilling will help, but won’t solve oil shortage
Opinions/Editorials · August 20, 2008

Editorial: Stoolman: A heart to serve
Opinions/Editorials · August 13, 2008
At first, we considered holding off on this editorial until Dick Stoolman finally left the West Branch Fire Department altogether, so we could include in here all the years of service he provided to the city.