Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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ronavirus-related deaths on Monday, raising the death toll to four since the pandemic began. "We wish to extend our sympathy to each family who has lost a loved one," O'Brien County Public Health noted in a statement. "O'Brien County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities." Overall, O'Brien County has tallied 141 coronavirus cases since late March and 104 recoveries. In Clay...
The general election is a little less than three months away, but registered voters in Iowa wishing to cast absentee ballots need not worry about sending in a request. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate last month was given the go-ahead by a legislative panel to send absentee ballot request forms to all registered voters before the Nov. 3 election. Pate, a Republican, took a similar action prior to the June primary to help people avoid voting in person amid the coronavirus pandemic. "I want Iowa...
A Hartley business is experiencing growing pains thanks to a widening national spotlight aided by prime TV coverage. Keene Outdoors, which sells fully portable hunting stand platforms, has seen business nearly double in each of the six years it's existed. The operation is a family affair with Dave, Kris and son Brent Keene all playing a role. "Today, there's nothing out on the market like it, really," said Kris. The idea for the platforms was born out of practicality. Dave fostered the spark...
A mysterious clog near Highway 18 has been cleared, for now. Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz on Monday updated the council about a storm sewer blockage near the new Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary building. He said the clog was located where a newer 15-inch tile connected with an older 8" clay tile, but was fixed when crews dug it up to locate the obstruction. "It was some strange stuff," Benz said of the tile configuration. "Even the DOT guys hadn't seen anything like that." The cit...
• Traffic Jeffrey R. Sauter, Jackson, Minn. Adam Edward Davis, South Sioux City, Neb., Speeding. John Michael Rothkehl, Fr., Sioux City, Registration Violation; No Proof of Insurance. Brandon Michael Floyd Cmela, Orange City, Speeding. Jonathan Jay Koerselman, Sheldon, ATV on Highway; Driving While Suspended. Isidro Gamadiel Garcia Gonzalez, Sioux City, No Proof of Insurance; No Valid Driver’s License. Jennifer Diane Collins, Sanborn, Registration Violation. Spencer Neil Norton, Sheldon, Minor in Possession. Angela Renee Locke, Sheldon, Use of...
Relay For Life raises over $16K The 2020 O’Brien County Relay For Life drew 10 teams and raised $16,672.00 for the American Cancer Society’s advocacy, education, patient services and research programs. The event was held Aug. 3 in Sheldon with a different look this year due to COVID-19 rules and social distancing guidelines. Instead of the usual walk to raise funds, a picnic and parade were held. Take-and-go meals were served to individuals at the Sheldon City Park gazebo. Twenty-two survivors assembled at the Sheldon High School parking lot...
HFD to hold water fights tonight The Hartley Fire Department will host community water fights on Thursday, Aug. 13 on Central Avenue. Hotdogs will be served starting at 6 p.m., and the water fights will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Hotdogs will be served until they’re gone. All free will donations will benefit the Hartley New Pool Project. Virtual meetings offer couples strategies to cope with COVID-19 ISU Extension and Outreach will offer a series of short virtual meetings over eight weeks with information a...
This year has been a slog. The pandemic and subsequent economic nosedive have made millions of Americans hurt, and excruciatingly, there is no end in sight. When this all ends, nobody knows. Accordingly, Americans from sea to shining sea have had to adapt their routines to accommodate this strange new standard. One of the most import functions of our democracy – the simple act of voting – will be greatly affected by the pandemic come November. Sadly, the logical switch to mail-in ballots has...
If I'm not complaining about my house, I'm not breathing. Lately, I've been short of breath. I started the scraping portion of the painting project last month at our 103-year-old Ocheyedan home. This nightmare is something I've been putting off for two years. One month in, I know why. Basically everything is coming off the ancient cedar siding. I know you're not supposed to be too picky when scraping, but if I can get it off, I'm going to. It's rather maddening – progress is slow and the square...
Just when fall seems to be around the corner, summer turns up the heat and reminds us she's in charge. We will bask in the boating and swimming weather while it lasts, however, I look forward to the cool temps of last week to return. How many parents out there are ready to send their kids back to school? Pick me! Can I get an Amen? I love these little sweethearts more than anything, but I look forward to them getting into a routine, socializing with friends regularly and remembering that I'm not...
To the editor: It was on Aug. 14, 1945. I was manager of the Gillett Grove Savings Bank, recently purchased by Farmers Trust and Savings Bank of Spencer, Iowa where I was employed. Someone went inside the Methodist Church in Gillett Grove and rang the church bells. Japan had accepted the Allied surrender terms and the war was over! What a wonderful day. The church bells rang throughout Gillett Grove. I and others stood in silence. The bells were music to our ears. What a glorious day to have...
For two weeks this July, we crisscrossed our state, carrying forward a tradition started by Senator Grassley 40 years ago to meet with Iowans in every county, every year. On this road trip, we each reached Iowans in 29 counties. Like Iowa students who are eager to return to their classrooms and campuses in August, we sure were grateful to meet directly with our constituents. In these challenging times, the feedback we’re getting from Iowans has renewed our commitment to get urgently needed policies across the finish line. We hear from Iowans n...
Children aren't the only ones wondering what going back to school will be like this fall. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, parents and caregivers are beginning to find out when children may be at their school buildings, whether learning online at home is an option or whether to plan for a hybrid of the two. Back-to-school planning is an ever-changing environment this year. But there are things parents and caregivers can do to prepare children for the possibilities. Here are some tips and...
A funeral service for Mearl L. Ohrt was held Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sanborn. Rev. Gregg Johnson officiated. Pallbearers were Daniel Ohrt, Michael Ohrt, Marshal Ohrt, Austen Gonnerman, Bryce Kelleher and Brytton Kelleher. Honorary pallbearers were Mearl’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Military graveside rites were conducted by Melvin American Legion, Reed Guthrie Post #470. Interment was in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Mearl Lee Ohrt, son of E...
A memorial service for Melissa M. Sebastian was held Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at the Warner Funeral Home in Everly. Pastor Lee Laaveg officiated. Interment was in Lone Tree Cemetery near Everly. Warner Funeral Home in Everly assisted with the arrangements. Melissa Marie Sebastian, the daughter of Edward and Karen McClurg, was born on July 16, 1962, in Spirit Lake. Her childhood years were spent in Spirit Lake where she graduated in 1980. Melissa married Kevin (Sebastian) on July 1, 1996. They moved to Everly in the spring of 1997. Melissa and...
Services for Kathryn L. Haht will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Sutherland. Hartley Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. Kathryn Lorene Haht was born on Nov. 14, 1928 in rural Sutherland, the daughter of Mathias and Inez (Cooper) Noethe. She spent her youth in the Sutherland area and attended school there, graduating from Sutherland High School. On June 4, 1947, Kathryn was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” Haht at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland. The couple made Sutherland their hom...
• Aug. 16, 1945 After six long years of war the world was finally at peace when President Harry S. Truman announced that the Japanese imperial government had accepted the terms of unconditional surrender to the Allies. The proclamation of V-J Day waited upon the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan. The news was greeted in Hartley with thanksgiving. Stores closed their doors and Hartley took on the appearance of sobriety rather than of wild excitement which had been expected and planned for. It was felt by the majority of civic l...
The Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation has provided a $1 million gift toward a technology enhancement for radiation oncology services offered by the Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital. The generous gift represents contributions from hundreds of donors who have supported the cancer center in recent years, along with proceeds from the annual Abben Cancer Center Golf Classic. The $1 million gift makes up approximately 25 percent of the project costs. "The foundation board was thrilled to...
Practices recently got underway for the fall sports season at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. Though track and golf were canceled this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduced summer sports season was held successfully to pave the way for volleyball, football and cross country. Pictured here, Hawk runners loosen their legs with a jog along M-12 near H-M-S High School on Monday evening. Their first meet is scheduled for Aug. 27 at Cherokee....
Doug Timmons, of Ames, recently donated an Allis-Chalmers Model G tractor with attachments to the Nevada High School FFA Chapter. The tractor belonged to the late Merlin Timmons, who farmed east of Sanborn. Merlin acquired the tractor by trading for a butcher hog in exchange for the tractor. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Nevada High School agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor Kevin Cooper traveled to Sanborn to pick up the tractor. Eric Rozenboom was at the farm to help load the tractor onto...
Kiana Johnson, executive director of the O'Brien County Economic Development Corporation, recently received certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC). EDFP certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC's intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit...
