Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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The Everly City Council's third meeting about an employee health benefit package yielded a final decision on Monday. The council unanimously approved a plan that would have the city covering 70 percent of family health insurance premiums while full-time employees would be required to cover the remaining 30 percent. As approved last month, the city will also cover 100 percent of individual health insurance packages for full-time employees. "Today in order to be competitive in the job market, I...
Activity is buzzing at the old packing plant in Hartley as the facility pushes towards its ribbon cutting. Stephane Comtois, owner of Hartley Cold Services, said the business is planning to initiate Phase 1 of opening by late June. He hopes the plant will be fully operational by early fall. "Initially I thought we'd be open right now. We just got caught up with the labor shortage," Comtois said. "We've done quite a bit in the last few months." Comtois, who owns businesses in Canada, Chicago and...
The Hartley City Council on Monday moved forward with plans to demolish a dilapidated downtown building. The council approved a bid from Site Services for asbestos abatement at 170 S Central Ave. for $15,860. Also approved was a demolition bid from Schmillen Construction worth $51,425, which includes the garage east of the building in the alleyway. "The deteriorating condition of the building has been a serious concern to the council, especially given the proximity to operating businesses on...
Safety was on the minds of Hartley City Council members Monday during a meeting with CO2 pipeline representatives. Craig Schoenfeld, a consultant with the proposed Heartland Greenland pipeline, gave an overview of the project to city council members. The pipeline would total 1,300 miles – including around 800 miles in Iowa – and transport CO2 from Midwest ethanol plants to a sequestration site in Illinois. The pipeline would connect to the Valero Renewables plant in Hartley and cross itself sou...
Don't tell Dr. Steve Meyer that miracles are few and far between these days. "God has a plan for everybody's life," he said. "Miracles still happen every day, and I'm a walking, living example of that." The Hartley native returned home last Friday to address a gathering of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he was baptized. Meyer gave a message of hope focused on his missionary work in Tanzania, which has cemented his Christian faith and emboldened him...
Strong winds have been the norm this spring, but blustery conditions aren't slowing farmers as planting season hits its stride. Regional agronomists reported steady progress with corn planting across the area over the past week. According to Leah Ten Napel, an agronomist with ISU Extension whose territory includes O'Brien and Osceola counties, farmers are making a big push to get their fields planted thanks to warmer weather. "Planting progress around my territory started slow in the middle of...
If any more turkeys show up in Hartley, school officials may have to consider changing H-M-S's nickname from the Hawks to the Gobblers. Many residents have been somewhat surprised in recent weeks to see a female wild turkey hanging out inside city limits. The hen has been spotted all over the place, even near downtown. O'Brien County Conservation naturalist Lindsey Craig explained Hartley's visitor isn't exactly unique. "Turkeys seem to have a mind of their own and have been spotted in other...
It may not seem like much, but it's a start. City Administrator Erica Haack this month announced that Hartley has received a Derelict Building Grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for asbestos removal at the old Capitol Theatre building. The city in 2021 applied for funding through the program, but was rejected. Hartley will receive $25,000 to be used specifically for asbestos removal at the theater. The overall cost to abate the hazardous material has been estimated at $38,000....
A familiar face has been hired as Hartley's new gas superintendent. The city council on Monday unanimously voted to hire Dave Patton, who will start duties on May 15. He currently owns and operates Patton's Powder Coating in Hartley and has a background in maintenance work. Patton said he is looking forward to the new opportunity. "I think number one, I'm excited to be part of a team and I'm kind of looking forward to that aspect," he said. "Not only that, but looking at a permanent job and a...
It doesn’t take long to find someone who doesn’t like The Media. Conservatives despise CNN. Liberals hate Fox. All the while, there are a million offshoots placating everyone’s political ideologies and affirming that what they believe is right. Social media fuels the fire, allowing endless opportunities for people to share supercharged takes and baseless lies. There was a brief break in the cycle last week, however. Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems worth $787.5 million over lies the network propagated durin...
Hartley officials are now searching for a key cog in City Hall's wheel. City Administrator Erica Haack on Monday submitted her letter of resignation effective May 17. She has held the position since February of 2019 and is leaving the post to become a finance and contract analyst with Interstates in Sioux Center. "I have enjoyed working with the mayor and council, my co-workers, and all of the community members who selflessly volunteer their time on various boards and committees that help make...
Big changes are gradually taking place at the Hartley Public Library. Staff members have been transforming the west side of the facility with updated fixtures, furniture and other additions over the past month. Once finished, the children's section will change places with the teen section, moving from the front to the back. It's all thanks to a mini grant worth $4,285 from Lakes Area Community Partnership for Protecting Children (LACPPC), which emphasizes programming for children and families....
An ongoing infrastructure improvement project is going according to plan in east Hartley. According to Bolton & Menk engineer Josh Pope, the cure-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining project has experienced few issues over the past month. The improvements were made possible thanks to a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. "It's moving along nicely," Pope said during the April 10 city council meeting. "We have had a couple of pipe condition issues that have required replacement, but we expect...
The Everly City Council on April 13 approved one part of an employee health care plan while tabling the other half. The council unanimously agreed to cover 100 percent of single premiums for full-time employees. An agreement on family coverage was ultimately tabled after extensive discussion. "There's still a lot of grey area in there with this insurance," said Mayor Ron Thompson. "We have to do what's right for Everly and its citizens." The move is hoped to retain current employees and make...
A large contribution has sparked big plans for the Hartley Community Daycare Center. Director Kaity Pedley on Monday addressed the city council during her annual update. She revealed the facility recently landed a $500,000 contribution from a private donor, which sparked discussion about constructing a new facility. "Five hundred grand doesn't get us a lot, but it's a start and it was awesome and amazing," she said. The current daycare center building was constructed in 1920 with an addition...
Youngsters in Hartley turned out in force last Saturday for the I.E.F. Club's annual egg hunt on the grounds of Community Memorial Health Center. The event was well attended by children ages 0-10, who hunted down eggs in quick fashion. Strong winds didn't seem to affect their efforts. Goodies were provided to each participant, and special treats were given to kids who found golden eggs....
Hartley's recreation trail committee has made marked progress in the past year, but members are hoping the city's help could allow the group to make bigger strides in the future. Committee members on Monday gave an annual update on efforts to build a recreation trail around town. If constructed, the path would encompass Hartley starting at Neebel Park for a total distance of approximately four miles at an estimated cost of $400,000 per mile. Committee member Dave Vander Broek said the group...
O'Brien County's emergency management director is hoping a special countywide property tax levy could bolster ambulance services in local communities. Jared Johnson last month floated the proposal in front of the board of supervisors, who took no action on the matter. If adopted in the future, an EMS levy would not exceed 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation on all taxable property in O'Brien County while creating a trust fund to help pay for emergency medical services. Johnson explained...
With Easter behind us and warmer weather seemingly here to stay, I’m declaring Old Man Winter dead for the next seven months. This is the printed word and official now; no going back. What a bearcat the last four months have been. Early outs, snow days and canceled events became the norm as storm after storm rolled through the state on repeat. Still, it could be worse – Iowans who reside south of here can attest to that. Spring brings with it a sense of renewed optimism. The sun is shining and the birds are singing, which is enough to put a s...
Fifty years of service to the fire department have not only left an impression on Roger "Lefty" Ginger, but also on those who know him. That sentiment was clear Sunday afternoon during a special ceremony commemorating Ginger's half-century of service to Everly Fire & Rescue. The longtime volunteer officially hung up his helmet at the conclusion of the service, which was attended by a full house of well-wishers at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center. Ginger addressed the crowd and said he was grate...
A big project not many people will notice is slated to take place at Clay Central/Everly Elementary later this year. The school board on March 30 approved bids for pipe repair, asbestos abatement and air monitoring for plumbing located in tunnels under classrooms on the north side of the Royal building. The project is estimated at around $80,000. “We started to notice the condition of our pipes in the tunnel after a water leak,” Assistant Superintendent Jeff Scharn explained after the mee...
Sharp eyes, a thirsty palate and empty stomach will be required for participants in the Everly Public Library's upcoming fundraiser. Puzzles for Publications will be held on Saturday, April 15 at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center. The event will pit teams of four against each other competing to finish a 550-piece puzzle, drink 18 beers and eat an entire large pizza. According to library Director Christie Seivert, Puzzles for Publications came about after a board member reached out to her with a...
The Hartley Recreation Trail Committee didn't see this one coming. Members last week accepted a $100,000 grant from United Way in Spencer to help pay for construction of the trail. The money was made possible by a charitable trust established by the Heerde family of Milford, who charged United Way with selecting local causes worth contributing to. "There's no stipulations as far as we know, just a check for $100,000," said Laura Mohni, trail committee member. "We were extremely surprised and ext...
Retirement will bring with it some peace and quiet for Roger "Lefty" Ginger. "I think the biggest thing I'll notice is that I won't have a pager going off now," he said. Ginger, 76, will close the book on 50 years of service with Everly Fire & Rescue this Sunday during a special sendoff. The longtime volunteer admitted his retirement is a bit strange, but he's ready. "I'm a bit too old to cut the mustard, as they say," he said. "It's time for the younger generation to take over." A native of Pri...
Angie Heikens loves turning pages, whether in a good book or in life. The rural May City woman took over as director of the Hartley Public Library last week. Her rise to the top was quick – she started as the facility's youth program director in January and was recently approached by the board when the head position opened up. "I originally said no, but I thought about it some more and realized I hadn't really been challenged for a while," Heikens said. "I came around to the idea and said l...
