Flame on

Gregory R. Norfleet/West Branch Times West Branch Fire Department burned down a former hog-buying building May 8 on the north edge of town between North Downey/Baker Avenue, the Hoover Trail and 280th Street. The department started with a small fire inside an office area, sending firefighters to safely learn how to cross a burning room. They also had some climb on the roof to learn how to cut vent holes without also cutting the rafters. After other drills, the department set a second fire and let the two fires spread, which quickly engulfed the wooden building. The firefighters posed for a group photo after the fire peaked, with the burning building in the background. Larry Lynch of Lynch Excavating then pulled the extinguished building down. The property will be cleared to make way for a planned dog park, for which a $10,000 fundraiser is already under way.

The West Branch City Council wants to raise taxes by creating a storm water utility.

Plan: Dissect sounds in Hoover Complex
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 17, 2013
Misty Nelson’s job requires her to listen — a lot — to all kinds of sounds in an environment, from birds chirping to people talking to airplanes flying thousands of feet overhead.

Video on demand: City Council meetings
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 17, 2013
The city’s Web site now offers video on demand — of council meetings — and an amped-up financial section that reaches up to eight years back in some cases.

Music recital May 25
News · May 17, 2013
Grandchildren of Helen and Roscoe Millett will appear in recital on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the West Branch United Methodist Church.

Spring recital on Sunday
News · May 17, 2013
The community is invited to the Sixth Street Studio Spring Recital to be held Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at the West Branch United Methodist Church.

Engagement: Coiner, Miller plan to marry May 25
News · May 17, 2013
Marie Emerson announces the marriage of her daughter, Maxine Miller, to William Coiner.

Stevenson gets city council seat
by Rick DeClue · News · May 10, 2013
The West Branch City Council appointed Mary Beth Stevenson by a unanimous vote Monday to fill the remaining term of Dan O’Neil’s seat on the council.

WBHS band gets ‘superior’ rating
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 10, 2013
West Branch High School’s band earned a Division I — superior — rating Saturday at the annual Iowa High School Music Association Large Group Contest.

WBPD: Got a license for that golf cart?
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 10, 2013
Want to drive a golf cart from home to the course?

Altorfer: WB hub of SE Iowa
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · May 10, 2013
Altorfer plans to spend “millions” building its new location near Interstate 80, according to a company representative, and the building should be ready by next February.