This will be the 17th year that the Wilton Christmas Angel program has been helping families in the Wilton School district that need assistance during the Christmas season.  Last year 40 families were involved in the Christmas Angel Program.  more

The Wilton Junior High Student Council collected 150 pounds of food for the school pantry. more

Troy Harmel was the big winner in the Advocate News’ Football Contest this week. He was the only contestant to miss one, and will receive the $25 first prize. more

Durant School District students will host a salute to local Veterans on Friday, Nov. 10, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Durant High School gym. Anyone is welcome and local veterans are highly encouraged to attend. Veteran’s Day is Nov. 11. The high school National Honor Society, guided by advisor Jeff Trask, is hosting the event while the high school band and choir will perform. Guest speakers include senior student Kierra Hahn as well as high school English teacher Steve Sands.  more

The Durant Community Board will host its annual Hometown Holiday Events on Dec. 1-2, with activities taking place at the Durant Community Center from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 and from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. more

The annual Muscatine County Fair “Trees for a Cause” event will take place Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Activity Center on the fairgrounds in West Liberty. More than a dozen trees as well as several hometown vendors participated in the event in previous years according to Kelsey Meyers, Fair Manager. more

Wilton Bank will host their fourth annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Carryout Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and anyone of age – regardless of being a bank customer – are welcome to participate. more

Dean Maiers, of Durant, votes Tuesday morning at the Durant Community Center, where 76 voters cast ballots in the first hour. more

Wilton Certified Local Government Commission (WCLGC) has been working on a designation as National Historic Neigh-borhoods for areas around Maurer Street and around Fifth and Sixth Streets. more

Eight members of the junior and senior Wilton High School Choir members have been selected as members of the 74th annual Dorian Honor Choir at Luther College in Decorah. more

The westbound Interstate 80 rest area near Wilton will close Sunday evening through Dec. 8 because of nearby roadwork. more

Ownership and operation of a farm by members of the same family for 100, and 150 years or more is a significant accomplishment. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in conjunction with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation established the Century Farm Program for farm families that have owned at least 40 acres for 100 years, and Heritage Farm Program for those owning it 150 years or more. more

More than 800 farms in Scott, Muscatine and Cedar Counties are part of Iowa's Heritage and Century farms program. more

Mayor Scott Spengler is unopposed, and three candidates are running for two council seats in Durant. more

 Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when local voters will decide on school and city council candidates, but Durant voters have a bigger issue to tackle – a second chance to approve a bond referendum to improve school buildings in the community. more

The Muscatine County Fair Board updated guests at their annual meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 24, on an amphitheater stage-remodeling project that is already 75 percent complete as well as a future Activity Center capital improvement. more

Kelsie Stafford has joined Wilton city staff as the new parks and recreation director. more

Durant residents are being asked to help the city complete its lead inventory on the water supply system. more

Angie Dickey wants to complete her goals as mayor of Atalissa, the 30-year resident told the Index this week as she prepares for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election. But she won’t be the only mayoral candidate on the ballot next week. Newcomer Kandice Blick is also seeking the top post in the city. more

 The Durant Community School District bond referendum isn’t the only major issue on the ballot this Nov. 7 for Cedar County voters, as Cedar County Emergency Services is proposing property tax funding for countywide ambulance services.  more