Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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The roar of chainsaws may become a familiar sound in Everly during the coming year. The city council on Monday agreed to start budgeting money to pay for the removal of ash trees on city-owned property throughout town. Members felt it was important to get a plan in place due to the emerald ash borer, which has been confirmed in 97 of Iowa's 99 counties. "We need to be thinking about that coming our way," said Mayor Ron Thompson. "It's here, it's out at Scharnberg Park and it's around our area."...
The Hartley City Council went from four members to five on Monday night. The council voted unanimously to appoint Greg Cotter to the seat vacated by Roxann Swanson, who resigned in May to accept the city administrator's position. Cotter previously ran for council in 2021 and finished fourth in a field of five candidates vying for three seats. "I think the citizens spoke with the election," said Council Member Mary Westphalen. Cotter, Brian Myers and Matt Dolphin applied to fill the vacancy....
Blake Wendt always had an eye on school administration. The Le Mars native grew up in a family with strong ties to K-12 education. His father was a superintendent, his mom was a high school principal, one of his grandfathers was an administrator and both of his grandmothers were teachers. With that type of lineage, Wendt's career path is really no surprise. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher," he said. "I loved my time in the classroom but I always had a heart for administration. I decided that it...
A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has proved to be the gift that keeps on giving for the City of Hartley. The council on Monday received an update on the grant from Bolton & Menk engineer Wes Boyer, who reported funds still remain following the completion of the city's lift station upgrade and sewer pipe relining project. Boyer said the city could use the remaining balance for other projects on the east side of town or return it. Boyer suggested the city use the money to help pay for a...
A state board last month gave Hartley's never-opened new pool new life. The Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) at its June 15 meeting issued a ruling approving a plan by the pool's general contractor to address issues that led to a failed electrical inspection in 2022. The facility has sat empty and unused since its completion last year because of the failure, but the decision now opens the door for general contractor Eriksen Construction to remediate issues without major reconstruction....
The Hartley City Council on June 28 moved forward with plans to appoint a member to fill a vacancy. The council unanimously voted to fill former member Roxann Swanson's seat via appointment at its upcoming July 10 meeting. Swanson resigned in May to accept the city administrator's position. All persons interested in being appointed to the council vacancy should submit a statement of interest via mail or personal delivery to City Hall by noon on July 10. Standard forms are available at the city...
Who said Hartley needs a functioning pool to have some water-themed fun? Several local organizations will host "No Pool, Big Problem" on July 12 at Neebel Park. The event will feature water fights, food and other attractions in the shadow of Hartley's never-opened new pool. The Hartley Fire Department hosted a similar event last July, which was dubbed "No Pool, No Problem." "We were hoping we didn't have to do it again this summer, but here we are," said Fire Chief Brad Meendering. "It's a way...
Heidi Douma's passion for teaching might be hereditary. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's new middle school principal comes to the district with not only a solid resume, but also deep family ties to PK-12 education. "My mom was a teacher and my sisters were all involved in education in some way," she said. "After initially majoring in business, I felt God calling me to the education field and especially early childhood and special education." Douma's first official day was July 1. She brings to H-M-S a...
Sen. Joni Ernst is a big fan of what's happening in Sanborn. Iowa's junior U.S. senator was put on parade in the community Tuesday as part of her annual 99-county tour. The Republican visited downtown businesses with a local delegation, stopping at AMPI, Locomotion Lanes, Sanborn Carnegie Hall and Family Health Chiropractic. Ernst fielded concerns from business owners and was shown areas of growth and improvement in Sanborn. "We need to find ways to not just survive, but thrive in these small...
Though some have probably driven through it, Tuesday likely marked the first time a sitting U.S. senator made an official visit to Business Corner near May City. Sen. Joni Ernst stopped by 300 Acres, LLC to chat with owner Nick Shaffer and other local representatives about issues affecting small businesses, farmers and beyond. The Republican's visit in rural Osceola County was part of her 99-county tour and followed three other stops that day. Ernst was impressed with Shaffer's business, which s...
Solutions to address two eyesore properties in Everly were a main topic of discussion by the city council on June 19. Members targeted 313 E 2nd St. and 206 N Ocheyedan St. According to online property records, Shawn Hamrick, of Dickens, owns both residences. “I think it’s to the point that the city should step in and do something about it,” said Council Member Shaun Iske. The council discussed the dilapidated state of the East Second Street property most significantly. Members expressed interest in condemning the home as a potentially unsafe b...
The sound of freedom often means the bang of fireworks around the Fourth of July, but the ability to blast away depends on where you live. Hartley, Everly and Royal have adopted differing rules regarding fireworks since their sale and use were legalized in Iowa six years ago. Denizens of each community should note their local rules in the week ahead as Independence Day celebrations commence – municipalities can impose stricter regulations than those allowed by state law. HARTLEY Hartley resident...
The Everly City Council on Monday agreed to go after a local property owner for a "substantial" unpaid utilities bill. Council members agreed to seek judgment against Guardian Education & Athletic Services (GEAS) in district court for the delinquent tab, which includes water, sewer and gas services. GEAS owns the former Clay Central/Everly 7-12 grade building located at 306 East Second Street. According to discussion, City Attorney Dennis Cmelik has advised the council to not publicly discuss...
Work on improvements to the parking lot at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School has progressed throughout the month. The school board in February awarded the contract for the work to Graves Construction Co., which bid the project at $2,272,238. The successful bid was $35,000 lower than the engineer's estimate. The parking lot improvements are the first of three phases. The first includes surface and stormwater drainage improvements to the west parking lot and paving a portion of the north drive. D...
A passion for cooking has turned into a new business venture for Adam Lux. The Hartley man this spring opened Hunger Struck, a food truck that will soon be seen at events and other locations throughout the area. Lux had a soft opening in downtown Hartley on Memorial Day and it went better than he anticipated. "I sold out of everything except I think I had two jumbo hotdogs left," he said. "It went really good for just putting it out there a day or two before that I was going to be there." Cookin...
For Kris Todd, the difference has been night and day. The activities director at Community Memorial Health Center has watched the schedule at the local facility fill to the brim with events and goings-on following the COVID-19 pandemic. Where once residents were forced into near isolation due to the virus' threat, they are now enjoying a full slate of events on a daily basis. "Activities truly are a good gauge into the climate," Todd said. "I am impressed with our residents, their resiliency...
The one-year anniversary of Hartley's new pool was observed with a celebration similar to its ribbon-cutting last June. There was none. "I understand that the residents of Hartley are eager for an update, but unfortunately I am not able to provide any substantive update or comment at this time," Hartley City Attorney Brandon Krikke said last week. Information and updates about the pool have been fleeting since its indefinite closure was announced last summer. It was supposed to open in June of...
The situation is by no means dire, but local fields could use a drink. "The corn is coming along pretty good, but where they're missing the rains, we're seeing slight leaf-curling," said Growmark FS agronomist Alic Mohni. "In places that have gotten the spotty rains, things are looking really good." The latest drought monitor map for Iowa shows all of O'Brien County in moderate drought with Clay County basically the same – only a small sliver in the northeast corner was graded one spot b...
"All the Kids On My Block" was so good the first time, author Dave Hoye decided to print it twice. "When it sold out, I had a lot of requests for it," he said. "It's more about the kids than it is me and telling their stories and situations." The book, which details and shares lessons from Hoye's 35-year counseling career, was first printed 10 years ago. This time around the Everly man has added three new chapters and included study guides after each chapter. "This way I hope to be able to sell...
I’m not good at building things – even when I help my son with a LEGO set I’m bound to fudge it up once or twice. Though my handyman skills are nil, I can sure break things. I can do it without even trying, too – just this week I broke the laminate edge off the corner of a countertop when it hooked my hip while I was walking by. This “talent” is only helpful on projects that require demolition. Though I haven’t broken out the sledgehammer since we’ve moved to Hartley, I have been busy slamming my trees, shrubs and other vegetation with...
For David Honse, three simple words sum up everything Memorial Day stands for. Courage, honor and sacrifice. "I find it unique that three words that are so deeply ingrained into our thoughts about the defense of this country have such small definitions, but such huge visuals on how we look at our servicemen and women," he told the crowd gathered at Pleasant View Cemetery on Monday. Honse, a Desert Storm veteran who served a decade of military service, noted the tremendous sacrifice each service...
The Clay Central/Everly Elementary building in Royal will look quite different when students return to class in August. The school board on May 24 approved the purchase of new window decals to be attached in various spots across the building. The decals allow for people inside to see out, but not people outside to see in. Cost for the project, including installation, was pegged at $8,560 by Clarion-based SportsGraphics. "Do the whole project," CC/E Assistant Superintendent Jeff Scharn told the...
There's no shortage of stories, laughter and memories when Darla Meyer, Pam Sease, Missy Young and Rodney Ahrenstorff get together. After all, they've been each other's second family for decades now. "We're a tight-knit bunch," said Sease. "The people that I call when I need something are ambulance members." The quartet has served on the Hartley Emergency Ambulance Rescue Team (HEART) in varying tenures – Meyer for 43 years, Sease for 39, Young for 27 and Ahrenstorff for 25. They've all held l...
The quick turn of a tassel sent 46 young adults into the "real world" on Sunday. The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Class of 2023 received their diplomas, marking the official start to their post-high school careers. The ceremony capped more than a decade of memories made together and sent the graduates on separate paths to new lives. "Today is the final step in a long education journey for our seniors and a celebration of the formal education here at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community Schools," said...
Roxann Swanson won't be moving far for her new job. The longtime Hartley City Council member will shift a few seats to her right in the council chambers next month when she assumes the city administrator role. She resigned her elected seat effective Monday to accommodate the move, which was unanimously approved by the council on Tuesday. "I felt with my background in city government as a council member for the past seven-plus years, my education, my work experience and my desire to remain...
