Organizers are still seeking the winner in the 50/50 raffle held at Sunday’s benefit for Mike and Debi Tarleton in Galva. The winning ticket number is 519168. To claim the prize, call 932-2996.

Interested in entering some garden photography contests? Diane Gibson offers several from which to choose in her Galva News column this week, along with some photography tips.

Registration is underway for the Galva Independence 5K Run/Walk to be held July 4, beginning at 8 a.m. at Wiley Park.
 

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Galva Arts Council. An anniversary committee with Nancy Anderson as chairman has begun planning special activities for the next several months. The theme is “Bringing the Arts to the Hearts of Galva.”
 

Registration deadline is July 1 for the 2009 Galva Freedom Fest Talent Show, held 4 p.m. July 4 in Wiley Park, Galva.
 

It is time for the Fourth of July celebration. If you are celebrating in Galva or somewhere else, we have some barbecue recipes for you.
 

Michael Bengston, 45, of Galva, Friday pleaded guilty to 19 felony counts of disseminating an unauthorized video recording, one felony count of harassment through electronic communication and one count of participation in methamphetamine production. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

 

A former ROWVA High School student was found shot to death Saturday at a closed medical clinic in northwestern South Carolina in what police are calling a murder and attempted suicide.
 

The AlWood School Board on June 15 approved random drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities. AlWood considers music, clubs, organizations, and nearly all activities outside classrooms as extra-curricular. “We’re not singling out the athlete; this is for all extra-curricular activities,” board member Steve Norberg noted.
 

The Galva City Council said Monday night it’s time to deal with some unkempt properties. The council will send letters to eight residential and one business owner, telling them to clean up their properties. The city is also working with three others on properties that need immediate attention.

 

Midsommar Music Festival will return Saturday, June 27 with a strong line-up of musical performers. Highlights of this free all-day event include Main Stage performances, music workshops; open jamming, a Swedish Maypole celebration and an old-fashioned barn dance at the Colony School in the evening.



 

The Oneida Farmers’ Market returns for the 2009 season on July 2.

 

Altona will host its annual fireworks show on Saturday, June 27. The display begins at dusk at the ball park on Route 34. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
 

Galva singer/guitarist John Sloan will provide the entertainment and Boy Scout Troop 143 will serve food when the next Lunch in the Park is held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 in Galva’s Veterans Memorial Park downtown.
 

It had been a long haul for Mike Tarleton. One of the legs that once carried him up and down area football fields - where he was a fierce ballcarrier for Galva High School in the late 1960s - had given him fits for 35 years. And things were getting worse.