Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Articles from the January 27, 2022 edition


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  • The more you know

    Nick Pedley, News Editor|Jan 27, 2022

    Local health officials are encouraging residents in O'Brien and Clay counties to take advantage of free COVID-19 tests now available to anyone who requests them from state and federal outlets. The Biden Administration earlier this month purchased 1 billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A half-billion tests were made available for order on Jan. 19 and will be mailed directly to American households that order them online at www.covidtests.gov. Households will...

  • COVID-19 outbreak reported at CMHC

    Nick Pedley, News Editor|Jan 27, 2022

    Five residents and three employees at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley were placed in quarantine during the past week after testing positive for COVID-19. According to interim CMHC Director Lisa Lowe, the facility reported its first positive test on Jan. 16. That number eventually grew in the week that followed, and quarantine protocols were implemented immediately in an attempt to avoid additional spread. Lowe said on Tuesday night that some of the residents who had tested positive...

  • Katie Ginger is new O'Brien County VA admin

    Nick Pedley, News Editor|Jan 27, 2022

    She doesn't have a military background, but that hasn't stopped Katie Ginger from helping local veterans obtain the services they need. The Hartley woman took over as administrator of O'Brien County Veteran Affairs last month after three months of training. She succeeded Roy Wohlert, also of Hartley, who hung it up at year's end. "I've enjoyed talking with veterans and getting to know them, and I love being involved and coordinating events," Ginger said. "It's been going good." Ginger previously...

  • Changing of the bags

    Nick Pedley, News Editor|Jan 27, 2022

    Three new faces have taken the reigns of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Kids Backpack Program. Rodney Ahrenstorff and Darla and Russ Meyer started heading the local food program at the start of the year. Though still operated through the Tritonia Club, the Hartley trio handles ordering and stocking goods for distribution to local children in need each week. The Kids Backpack Program was previously led by Kathy Shepherd and other volunteers, who built it into what it is today. "She said we can't let...

  • 01/27/22: Crime, Courts, Accidents & Incidents

    Jan 27, 2022

    • Traffic Kathleen J. Casas. Primghar, No Proof of Insurance. Jesus De Los Santos Chavez, Spirit Lake, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Cheyenne Megan Chindlund, Sheldon, Speeding. Amber Marie Davis, Sioux Center, Speeding. Thaddeus Ryan Mertz, Humboldt, Minor in Possession. Gavin Thomas Strain, Thor, Minor in Possession. Brisa Ivone Ramos De La Cruz, Sibley, Registration Violation. Sean Michael Greiner, Milford, Speeding. Ana Rosy Gomez Lopez, Eagle Grove, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Pedro Daniel Lopez Lopez, Denison, No Valid...

  • Matching experience with positions

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    Annual appointments made by mayors of small communities are generally routine. But as the makeup of the Royal City Council has changed as a result of the 2021 election, Mayor Josh Toft used the opportunity to assign members to positions that fit their particular abilities. “I’m trying to put people with the experience that best matches their appointments,” Toft said. The mayor’s appointments approved on Jan. 12 include: Jeff Van Westen – Mayor Pro-Tem; streets and alleys; Jim Virelli – water, sewer, sanitation and landfill; Matt Goyette – e...

  • The Writer's Pen

    Roger Brockshus|Jan 27, 2022

    Everyone who owns an automobile knows that regular maintenance is required. You need to keep the tank full of gas, the tires full of air and the engine full of oil. People also need regular maintenance. They need food to eat, clothes to wear and a place to sleep. Growing up on a farm, I always had food, clothing and a place to sleep. I had duties around the house, as well as chores around the farm. I attended school during the week and church on Sunday morning. As far as I knew, I was living a n...

  • Evans: State government may be harming Iowa population challenges

    Randy Evans|Jan 27, 2022

    I stumbled across a statistical tidbit the other day that probably will surprise many people. U.S. Census Bureau figures show that between 1900 and 2000, the state that grew the least in population, on a percentage basis, was Iowa. Read that again. No state had smaller population growth between 1900 and 2000, as a percentage, than Iowa. Not North Dakota. Not Montana. Not Wyoming. Not any other state. The census statistics show Iowa's population increased 31 percent during that span of time. Whil...

  • 01/27/22: Community Calendar

    Jan 27, 2022

    Blood drive Feb. 7 at Spencer LifeServe Blood Center is conducting a drive at Southpark Mall, 901 11th Street SW in Spencer, on Monday, Feb. 7, from 7-11 p.m. Appointments are required. Schedule a donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call (800) 287-4903. Hot beef at Red’s Red’s Catering in downtown Hartley will be serving hot beef on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. See the ad on Page 3 for more details. Lasagna fundraiser for new pool is Feb. 6 The Hartley Community Pool Campaign Committee will host a lasagna fundrai...

  • 01/27/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

    Jan 27, 2022

    Graduate in December at NCC Sixty-five students graduated from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon on Friday, Dec. 17. Area students who received diplomas and degrees follow. Hartley: Jessica A. Greiner, Medical Coding Diploma. Sanborn: Ivan A. Abonce, Electrical Technology Degree; Jamie E. Flores, High School Equivalency Diploma; Cade M. Schiphoff, Electrical Technology Degree. Named to UI fall dean’s list Bennett Haack, of Sanborn, was among more than 6,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean’s list for...

  • Clay Co. Fair & Events Center spends $1.9M in local economy, benefits local non-profits in 2021

    Jan 27, 2022

    After surviving the "no fair" year of 2020, the Clay County Fair Association bounced back in a big way in 2021 by creating a significant impact on the local economy, educating thousands of youth and providing a boost to other non-profit organizations. "The Clay County Fair Association plays an important role in our community as a tourist attraction and destination," Fair & Events Center CEO Jeremy Parsons said in a news release."More than that, however, as a private non-profit organization that...

  • Clay Co. Cattlemen host successful banquet

    Iesha Toft, S-N Contributor|Jan 27, 2022

    The Clay County Cattlemen Association held their annual meeting banquet on Jan. 15 at The Great Hall of Royal. The Cattlemen started the event with a social hour, followed by a bountiful catered meal. They enjoyed conversation with fellow members before guest speakers took the stage going over the past year in the industry. Speeches included Branding Iron proceeds, sponsor highlights, scholarship information and brief presentations by the current Beef Ambassadors, Gracie Dehrkoop and Saul...

  • Coach Sloth visits CC/E

    Iesha Toft, S-N Contributor|Jan 27, 2022

    Clay Central/Everly Elementary students were recently treated to a visit from famous author and former Iowa State football player, Coach Sloth. As a child growing up in the Dike and Belmond areas, it was very apparent to Coach (Ryan) Sloth that his greatest desire was to play football. Sloth played as starting cornerback for ISU, helping to lead the Cyclones to a victory in the 2000 Insight Bowl. Sloth transitioned from a Cyclone to an Iowa Barnstormer, both as a player and coach. He spent 10 se...

  • Virginia L. "Ginny" Harson, 79, Hartley

    Jan 27, 2022

    funeral service for Virginia L. Harson was held Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at the Hartley Funeral Home Chapel in Hartley. Pastor Lynn Dau officiated. Pallbearers were Cade Harvey, Patrick Willaert, Macin Harvey, David Willaert, Dayton Harson, Melanie Harson, Norah Harson and Ellen Harson. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Virginia Louise “Ginny” Harson, daughter of Marion George and Myrtle Louise Augusta (Erickson) Quist, was born July 31, 1942 at Wayne, Neb. She spent her youth...

  • Carroll H. Dass, 95, Sibley

    Jan 27, 2022

    A private family funeral service for Carroll H. Dass was held Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley. Interment was held Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan, with military rites provided by the Wood-Miller American Legion Post #326. Carroll Herman Dass was born on June 3, 1926 near Harris, to Herman and Fairy (Staley) Dass. He entered the U.S. Navy on Feb. 20, 1945 where he served and was stationed on the U.S.S. Randolph, and was later...

  • Norene E. Petrich, 77, Broomfield, Colo.

    Jan 27, 2022

    A funeral service for Norene E. Petrich was held Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Sanborn. Fr. Tim Hogan officiated. Pallbearers were Josh Zach, Adam Zach, Chad Babcock, Ryan O’Hara, Jim Horst and Tanner Fiorendino. Honorary pallbearers were Troy Vander Woude, Ed Babcock, Gerald Zach, Galen Beyer, Lonnie Klever and Dale Petersen. She was interred near her father and mother in St. Cecilia’s Catholic Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Norene Elizabeth (Horst) Petrich, age 77, e...

  • From Our Files

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    • Jan. 30, 1947 The home on the Mrs. Bertha Hirt farm, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Peters and son, was completely destroyed by fire. Mrs. Peters reported the blaze as soon as she noticed it, but a high wind fanned it quickly into an uncontrollable inferno. Hartley firemen did the best they could with the limited amount of water available but it was insufficient to control the spreading flames. Advanced sale of tickets pointed to the biggest firemen’s ball in Hartley’s history, but Old Man Winter came and with him snow, snow and more snow....

  • Wrestlers wrap up Siouxland season

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    The 2021-22 Siouxland Conference dual wrestling season ended with Okoboji/H-M-S splitting with MOC-Floyd Valley and Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, on Jan. 20 at Orange City. After suffering a close loss to BH/RV, 37-34, the Pioneers came back to defeat the Dutch, 42-37. They finish the conference dual portion of the schedule with a record of 3-4. H-M-S wrestlers Nick Bronstad and James Gellerman each pinned both of their opponents. The Siouxland Conference individual wrestling tournament will be held...

  • Defense and discipline

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    BY MIKE PETERSEN Competing for the entire game, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn combined tough defense and disciplined offense to hand South O'Brien a 52-41 loss on Jan. 18 at Paullina. South O'Brien quickly scored the first four points, but the Hawks responded on both ends of the floor to go in front, 11-10. "I'm really proud of how our guys came out and competed for the duration of the game," Hawk coach Naet Hoaglund said. "I was especially happy with how we competed on the defensive end. We had great...

  • Pioneers compete at Herb Irgens Invitational

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    Five individuals from the Okoboji/HMS wrestling team placed during OABCIG’s Herb Irgens Invitational last weekend at Ida Grove. The only H-M-S wrestler to place was Nick Bronstad, who finished third at 285 pounds. Bronstad pinned Colton Wieland of Carroll (1:53) and defeated Mack Ortner of Don Bosco (1-0) before losing by fall to Gage Marty of Solon (4:50) in the semifinals. In the consolation semifinals, Bronstad won by fall over Cael Moffatt of Akron-Westfield (3:03) and lost the third-place match to Ethan Hooyer of Sioux Center (5-0). Bryce...

  • The formula for success

    Mike Petersen, Sports Editor & Staff Writer|Jan 27, 2022

    Mixing together better shooting, fewer turnovers and more scoring output, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn came up with a winning formula to defeat South O'Brien, 54-43, on Jan. 18 at Paullina. The Hawks had the advantage in several categories: more shot attempts from the floor and more made baskets; a 25-23 advantage in rebounds; 15 turnovers compared to 23 for the Wolverines; and 21 points from Jasmine Lux compared to 12 for South O'Brien's Kenna Bauer. Lydia Harders contributed 12 points, Kylee...