Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 871
The Hartley City Council on Monday again debated better practices to deal with nuisance properties around town. The council first broached the topic in April. The city currently utilizes the services of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission (NIPDC), which was hired several years ago to assess problematic residences, send abatement notices and attempt to mitigate violations. According to discussion, city officials have been disappointed in NIPDC's efforts, noting an alleged lack of...
There will be a shakeup at the O'Brien County Courthouse in January. Only one of three county supervisor incumbents – District 3's Nancy McDowell – won their respective GOP primary race on Tuesday. District 1 incumbent Supervisor Tim Overmire fell to Jim Thomas, while District 2 incumbent John Steensma was defeated by current county Auditor Barb Rohwer. Unofficial results are included below. • District 1: Thomas, of Hartley, defeated Overmire, also of Hartley, with 59.2 percent of the vote,...
People in southeast Sheldon were hit with a big surprise Friday afternoon. A small tornado tore through the area near Crossroads Pavilion Event Center, leaving damaged buildings and vehicles in its wake. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls estimated the twister as an EF0 with wind speeds peaking at 85 mph. "Thankfully no one was injured from this storm system," said Jared Johnson, O'Brien County Emergency Management director. "There were multiple agencies and contractors working on site...
Connie Olhausen recalls the moment she decided to adopt a new way to quilt. "I had just finished a queen-sized one with 1,020 pieces that took 125 hours," she said. "That's when I decided this is kind of stupid. If we're going to do this, we're not going to make these kinds of quilts." An online search yielded more speedy methods of construction, and Olhausen never looked back. She made 75 quilts this year alone as part of a local charitable group at St. Paul's Lutheran Church that sends them...
You don't need to be a meteorologist to guess the main theme of this year's planting season in northwest Iowa. Area fields have been inundated with water this spring – so much so that many locations are already approaching precipitation totals from all of 2023. The deluge has slowed the 2024 planting season significantly, with some farmers still waiting to get soybeans in the ground. "Most of the corn is wrapped up, but the farther east you go, there are quite a bit of beans that have to go i...
School’s been out for two weeks and we’re still adjusting at my household. The kids are fine, but the parents are still hashing it out. So it goes with competing schedules that have one kid here and the other one there, with two parents who have their own obligations. Oliver has been busy with educational camps hosted by local libraries and ISU Extension & Outreach this week. That’s great for him, because his insatiable appetite for learning necessitates that his brain stays busy. He’s been enjoying them greatly and hasn’t really bugged me...
The weather was chilly, but the mood was warm last Saturday during the grand opening of Hartley's new pool. Local officials cut the ribbon at the new facility, which welcomed swimmers for the first time after two years of delays. Current Council Member and former Hartley Pool Taskforce Committee Member Mary Westphalen was happy the community could finally celebrate. "I love seeing all the smiles," she said. "Having this come together for the community, it's all been worth it." The pool was...
Retired Master Sgt. Lorenzia (Lo) Henderson reminded visitors at Pleasant View Cemetery on Monday that Memorial Day was more than a long weekend reserved for barbeques, beers and backyard gatherings. "It's a day that all Americans are encouraged to pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our way of life," he said. "To truly honor their lives, we must share their stories with others and ensure their memories live on." Henderson, of rural Hartley, served more than...
Republicans voting in the June 4 GOP primary election will have to sift through contested county supervisors' races in both Clay and O'Brien counties. In O'Brien County, incumbent District 1 Supervisor Tim Overmire, of Hartley, is being contested by Jim Thomas, also of Hartley. In District 2, incumbent John Steensma, of Sanborn, will face Barb Rohwer, of Primghar. In District 3, incumbent Nancy McDowell, of Sheldon, faces Shanelle Matus, also of Sheldon. Also on the Republican Party ballot in O'... Full story
Family, friends and community members bid farewell to 54 seniors at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School on Sunday afternoon. The group was sent off with their tassels turned and diplomas in hand following the annual commencement ceremony inside the H-M-S Event Center. Principal Blake Wendt said he was proud of the Class of 2024 and encouraged them to blaze a path of success in whatever they do after high school. "While many see today as an ending to these students' educational journeys, it is in...
The wait is almost over in Hartley. Following a two-year delay, the city's pool is slated to open on Saturday, May 25. Officials are planning a ribbon cutting and hotdog meal to mark the occasion at Neebel Park. The public is invited to attend and take their inaugural dips that afternoon. "We want everybody to come out, check things out and celebrate with us," said City Administrator Roxann Swanson. "We're just all really excited about the pool opening." The process to get here was an arduous...
Residents in Royal received a barrage from the sky on Monday night that left significant damage in its wake. A thunderstorm rolled through the area that dropped hail ranging in size from a quarter to larger than a golf ball. Damage reports were significant, as windows on homes and vehicles were shattered throughout the community. Dented siding, roofs and broken tree limbs were also seen throughout the community. The onslaught lasted between 20-30 minutes. Residents in Webb also received...
A decorated military veteran with a service career spanning three decades will address the Memorial Day crowd at Pleasant View Cemetery on May 27. Master Sgt. Lorenzia (Lo) Henderson, of rural Hartley, served a variety of roles in the Marines and Army prior to his retirement in 2017 after 32 years of military service – 22 years active and 10 years reserve. After enlisting in the Marines in 1978, he traveled the globe on various active-duty assignments and transitioned to leadership positions l...
The last World War II veteran in Hartley died on May 9 at the age of 101. Harlan Goetsch served in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1944-1946. According to an interview with the Sentinel-News last year on his 100th birthday, Goetsch's travels during World War II took him all over the globe; however, Alaska remained his favorite place. "I'm just an ordinary man who has tried to live an ordinary life," he said. "I'm nothing special." Local residents may beg to differ. Goetsch was a well-known...
Eyes were glued to the night sky last weekend as area residents were treated to a rare sight. The aurora borealis, commonly referred to as the northern lights, were visible in the upper-Midwest last week thanks to a large geomagnetic storm. Northwest Iowa got in on the show Friday and Saturday. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the northern lights are created when energized particles from the sun slam into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45...
The home debut of the Northwest Iowa Lightning ended in victory Saturday afternoon in Everly. Playing at the former Clay Central/Everly High School, the Lightning defeated the Midwest Rampage 16-14. The win moved the amateur nine-man football team to 2-0 on the season. The Northwest Iowa Lightning was created last fall. After an exhaustive effort to find a home field, team leaders landed on Everly. Games are held on the south side of the former high school property. The Lightning play at home...
Hartley City Council members on Monday were pleased to learn the local parks department has a pulse. Hartley Parks & Recreation Board members Laura Mohni, Kaity Pedley and Drew Sweeney provided an update to the council about the group's plans. According to the trio, a variety of projects and programming are in the works with board members eager to provide more things to the community. "It's nice to have an actual park board now," said Council Member Ron Hengeveld. "We probably have never had a...
Travelers on Highway 18 in northwest Iowa were treated to a unique sight last week. Perched atop his mule with a donkey as his wingman, Mike Siddall plodded his way across the plains. His main objective wasn't a destination, but rather to spread awareness about an issue most folks don't think about. Siddall's wife, Anita, started the nonprofit organization Toothbrushers and Balaam's Donkey in 2018. The group provides oral cleanings and screenings to people with self-care deficits, like...
Spring's ongoing deluge has local officials feeling lucky compared to past wet years. Hartley City Administrator Roxann Swanson on Tuesday reported few water-related issues in the City With a Heart. That's a plus for Hartley residents, who've experienced their fair share of headaches during other years when Mother Nature forgot to turn off the spigot. "There haven't been any reports to us about sewer back ups," Swanson said. "People have had a bit of water in their basements – some a bit more t...
An old issue reared its head last month inside Hartley City Council Chambers. Members on April 15 mulled ways to improve enforcement of nuisance ordinances. The city currently utilizes the services of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission (NIPDC), which was hired several years ago to assess problematic residences, send abatement notices and attempt to mitigate the violations. According to discussion, city officials have been disappointed in NIPDC's efforts, noting an alleged lack...
The Clay Central/Everly school board on April 24 received a bit of sticker shock. Members reviewed an estimate for playground upgrades at the Nature Learning Center, which is used by preschool students at recess. Boland Recreation, of Marshalltown, returned a quote for $390,815 to revamp amenities in the area. "Are we building with diamonds or what?" asked Board Member Allison Goyette. "I think $390,000 is slightly atrocious." While the price tag made eyes pop, CC/E Director of Student Services...
Clay County has its new fair queen. Linnea Bloom won the crown on Sunday during the 20th anniversary of the revitalized contest. The 17-year-old from Marathon beat out three other contestants, and will now reign over festivities at the 2024 Clay County Fair. Bloom, the daughter of Stephen and Melanie Bloom, is involved in several activities, including track and cross country, National Honor Society, FFA, FCA, student council, speech and her church. In addition to her many extracurricular...
Clay Central/Everly officials on Monday had a reason to celebrate. The Iowa Department of Education announced the district was one of 67 schools to earn a Learning Beyond the Bell grant. CC/E's total haul was worth $116,215. "It is a rather comprehensive grant," said CC/E Director of Student Services Michelle Huntress. "We are very excited!" According to the department of education, the grant's goal is to expand and sustain high-quality before-and-after school programs that support families and...
I’m always a day late and dollar short. That counts in life, and it also counts in the yard. We should have planted grass last week. There are plenty of barren patches in our yard – partially thanks to my heavy herbicide use last year, and partially thanks to other factors, like the two dogs’ “business.” Regardless, we did not get anything planted, and April’s showers are making me kick myself that I won’t have May grass. Still, there will be May flowers...if you count dandelions. That’s not to say I haven’t been busy. Thanks to the help of a...
The old gridiron in Everly will soon become a field of dreams for one upstart football team. Believe it or not, competitive sports are returning to the small Clay County community thanks to the Northwest Iowa Lightning. The new amateur 9-man football team will call the old field at the former Clay Central/Everly High School home this season, with the inaugural kickoff slated for Saturday, May 11. For team co-owner Dylan Brands, it's been a dream come true. "I don't think a lot of people realize...
