For Elexis Kistler, opening her own salon has been a long-time dream rooted in both passion and purpose. Sterling Hair Co., located at 201 E. Main St. in Lake City, was created to provide a welcoming environment.
In September 2025, long-time South Central Calhoun teacher Mishelle Gerdes lost her battle with cancer. She is remembered for her love of Halloween and dressing up with her fellow teachers.
South Central Calhoun’s October School Board meeting began with a public hearing to discuss the district’s bus routes. SCC is currently short three full-time bus drivers, so students are experiencing longer ride times to and from school.
The grocery store in Lake City has a new name and new owners. The former Lake City Food Center was purchased by Jason and Tabitha Ludwig, who have renamed the store to LC Market & Meats.
The Calhoun County Board of Supervisors recently passed several resolutions, ranging in topics from an abandoned and nuisance properties ordinance, to appointing voting representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties.
South Central Calhoun High School earned an overall performance score of 67.33% (605.97 out of 900) in the latest Iowa School Performance Profiles, placing the school above the state average of 63.28%. This is considered a Commendable Rating, reflecting strong progress across multiple measures of student success.
Four candidates are running for three open seats on the Lake City City Council: Scott Bruns, Nicholas Allen Gorden, Eddie Mohr, and Adam Wilson. Bruns, Gordon, and Wilson are incumbents. Voters will take to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
The American Cancer Society estimates that every year, 376,030 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2024, Lisa Anderson of Lake City was one of them, and she shared her story with the Calhoun County Phoenix.
Every year during Sweet Corn Daze, the Rockwell City Rotary Club names its “Citizen of the Year.” This year, the honor was bestowed on Dr. Paul Armbrecht, a long-time veterinarian and area resident.
In an Oct. 2, 2025 press release, the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed that avian influenza has been detected in a commercial turkey flock in Calhoun County.
