Lori Lindner

NORTH LIBERTY– The barbecue pits and jamming musicians weren’t the only hot things at North Liberty’s annual Blues & BBQ festival this year.
Finally; the sun was warm, too.
It’s been awhile since the annual community celebration of summer– and all things barbecue, blues and family-friendly fun– has enjoyed a day without stormy weather. In 2011, 2013 and 2014, storms and heavy rains interfered enough with the grounds and equipment to cause the festival to be cancelled or called off early.

NORTH LIBERTY– A summer tradition is heating up once again in North Liberty.
The North Liberty Fire Department (NLFD) will host its annual Salute to Summer fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Bobbers Grill, 1850 Scales Bend Rd. NE, North Liberty.
The venue is perfect for the family-friendly event that encompasses everything from kids’ activities and games to a poker run, silent action and live music, said NLFD’s Rob DuBay, the chair for this year’s event.

NORTH LIBERTY– During the last three autumn seasons, Dean and Katie Colony, of Colony Pumpkin Patch in North Liberty, have offered a corn maze that contains dead-ends, detours, loops to be navigated and, somewhere among the stalks, routes to the exit.
Ostensibly designed for the entertainment of visitors, the themes for Colonys’ mazes are also purposefully chosen to create meaningful connections between people and the community.

OXFORD– The Clear Creek Amana (CCA) School Board fielded comments about its softball diamond at a regular meeting last Wednesday, but Superintendent Tim Kuehl made it clear: there is no money in the district’s budget for a new sports complex.

TIFFIN– As the City of Tiffin transitions into new leadership, the city’s new manager will be transitioning back into the public sector.
Doug Boldt, 41, was hired as Tiffin City Administrator last month after a search conducted by Pat Callahan Associates garnered 22 applicants and culled five interviewees from that list.
Boldt served as Tipton’s City Manager from 2005 until 2012. Though he has spent the last three years working in the private company he co-owned, public service has never been far from his mind.