Freedom’s fighters

Gregory R. Norfleet/West Branch Times Armed Forces Appreciation Night at the Little Rose Bowl invited veterans and active-duty personnel from both the West Branch and Regina sides of the field down to the Butch Pedersen Field for recognition. West Branch High School’s cheerleading squad carried flags representing each branch of the military on Friday night ahead of the Bears’ “The Walk” from West Main Street up Oliphant Street to Butch Pedersen Field. Armed Forces Appreciation Night was scheduled to have parachutists jumping out of an airplane, but “technical difficulties” led to that part getting canceled.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand brought a moderate tone to a campaign stop in West Branch on Sept. 3, challenging his own party’s stances on the trans issue and classroom AI use and Republicans’ positions on Education Savings Accounts and raising the minimum wage.

Sand favors red-flag laws, UBCs for guns
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 09, 2026
Asked how he would balance Second Amendment Rights against the possibility of school shooters, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand said he would turn to red-flag laws and universal backgound checks, which he believes have broad support, even among Republicans.

Governor candidate recommends restricting access to Flock records
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 09, 2026
More than a year ago, the City of West Branch approved the installation of two Flock cameras — set for this fall — to be placed on the Parkside Drive bridge on either side of Interstate 80.

Church news
News · September 09, 2026

Upcoming events
News · September 09, 2026

Jack & Jill owner’s family, friends impacted by flood
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 04, 2026
In one of the most widely circulated videos of the Aug. 26 mudslides and flooding at the Nepal-Tibet border, a bridge gets ripped from its abutments.

Nordex plans to add 200 jobs as West Branch plant ramps up production
by Jill Kleppe Wojciechowski · News · September 04, 2026
Nordex North America plans to more than double its workforce at its West Branch wind turbine manufacturing facility by the end of 2027 as demand for its five-megawatt turbines continues to grow.

Some 220 motorcycles ride through town to honor vets
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 04, 2026
Roughly 220 motorcycles surprised West Branch residents on Aug. 24 when they drove in convoy down Herbert Hoover Highway and then turned south toward Muscatine.

‘Big unknown’: Retiring Schwartz wonders about fates of millions of those Hoover saved from starvation
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 04, 2026
“Government shouldn’t put obstacles in the way of human achievement, but with that achievement came responsibilities,” Thomas Schwartz said, “responsibilities to your neighbor, to your community.”

Judge OK’s continuation on Tihpen case
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · September 04, 2026
A judge granted a continuance in the case of Kalen Zane Tihpen, 22, of West Branch, according to online court records.