Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 1001 - 1025 of 1379
Though the recent heat wave has slowed growth in local yards, the Hartley City Council is still hoping to clamp down on residents who don't mow. Council members on Monday approved changes to the city's grass ordinance. Now, people who fail to keep the length of their grass at 6 inches or less will receive only one warning per calendar year instead of receiving official notice each time their yard is breaking the rules. A certified letter will be mailed the first time a property owner offends,...
Despite vocal pushback from one member, the Hartley City Council on Monday voted to give city employees wage increases ranging from 3 to 8 percent. The base increase was 3 percent, with other employees like the police chief (8 percent), police officers (6 percent), city administrator and superintendent of public works (5 percent), and some others receiving more. According to discussion, wage hikes that were higher than the base rate were given for good job performance. "I try to keep the employe...
Royal city council members agreed to purchase a mower and to submit a bid for a used street sweeper during their meeting on June 9. Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen presented pricing for mowers. The options range from $8,000 to $11,000, depending on the particular makes and models. Nielsen and Lance Kruse tested one unit but would also like to try out a Bobcat mower. According to discussion, a Bobcat is more expensive; however, the dealer will offer a municipal discount that reduces the final price. Another advantage of the Bobcat is...
• Traffic Riley Jay Sorgdrager, Everly, Open Container. Todd Lewis Norman, Okoboji, Registration Violation. Jamie Lee Whittaker, Vermillion, S.D., Speeding. Taylor Joy Krosschell, Kissimmee, Fla., Speeding. David Hofmann, Harris, No Valid Driver’s License. Amber Marie Davis, Sioux Center, Speeding. Alanzo Leanos, Rock Valley, Seatbelt Violation. Lance Gerald Roorda, Maurice, Speeding. Kyle Lorne Block, Sanborn, Use of Electronic Device. Kristina Jean Gross, Sheldon, Speeding. Colin R. Davis, Mankato, Minn., Failure to Maintain Control. Ant...
Precipitation averaged more than an inch below normal for the month of May, streamflows are dropping, soil moisture is low and shallow groundwater conditions are a concern in several areas of the state, according to the latest water summary update from the Iowa DNR. Nearly 90 percent of Iowa is experiencing some degree of dryness or drought. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map shows 32 percent of the state rated as abnormally dry, 47 percent rated as in moderate drought and 10 percent...
A new pool isn't the only big build happening in Hartley this summer. Ground has been broken on Backroads Express, LLC's new site inside the city's new industrial park on Highway 18. Owners Wyatt and Monica Glime were the first buyers to stake out a claim in the industrial park, purchasing four lots this spring in the northwest corner for $100,000. The city council on May 27 approved payment of prorated real estate taxes on the Glimes' lots. According to City Administrator Erica Haack, the...
One of the fastest-growing crimes in the country is expanding its roots in the Hawkeye State. Iowa State Patrol Public Resource Officers Paul Gardner and Kevin Krull outlined the dangers of human trafficking during a special presentation June 3 in Hartley. Held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the two men made clear that "modern day slavery" takes place in all 50 states, in urban and rural regions, and in communities both wealthy and poor. "We do see [victims], we just don't understand what we're...
The Clay Central/Everly school board on May 26 agreed to review a Rossie man's request wishing for an exemption from the district's bus transportation policy. Neil Joenks has an elementary-age daughter who is open enrolled to Sioux Central along with her older siblings. Since CC/E offers grades PK-6, she is not allowed to be picked up by Sioux Central's buses in Rossie, but her elder siblings are because CC/E does not offer grades 7-12. Joenks, a recent widower, said he has limited support to...
Judging for the 2021 O'Brien County Fair Royalty was held Sunday, May 23 at Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar. Candidates participated in individual and group interviews and were judged by Shanelle Matus and Karen Schwaller. 2021 queen candidates include Sydney Zeutenhorst, of Granville; Abby Boardman, of Sutherland; Makenzie Meyer, of Paullina; Kaeley Einck, of Primghar; Madisen Fischer, of Sheldon; and Olivia Grooters, of Sanborn. King candidates are Cael Noteboom, of Sheldon, and Jason...
• Traffic Charles David Traver, Jr., Paullina, Seatbelt Violation. James Steven Kolbeck, Ashton, No Proof of Insurance. Jonathon Wayne Gastelum, Spencer, Dark Windows. Victor Vincent Perez Martinez, Hull, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device; Speeding. Darius Ben Johnson, Tallahassee, Fla., Speeding. Janna Marie Ahrendt, North Sioux City, S.D., Dark Windows. Jordan Michael Langley, Sioux City, Speeding. Kenneth C. Coffin, Ord, Neb., Seatbelt Violation; Use of Electronic Device. Alex Tyler Ebel, Paullina, Registration Violation. Eric David H...
Duane Jalas knows a thing or two about sacrificing for his country. The Vietnam War veteran, retired pastor and Sutherland native spent 14 months recovering from a bomb explosion that occurred 53 years ago during the Tet Offensive. His hands were mangled and the road to recovery was long, but he considers himself lucky. More than 1.35 million Americans fighting in conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to the War in Afghanistan never made it home alive. "Countless men and women have put th...
Hartley's new pool officially has a price tag. The city council on May 27 approved a bid from Eriksen Construction, of Blair, Neb., for $2,722,200 to build the new aquatic center. With engineering fees and other expenses included, the total price tag will run approximately $3,063,525. The overall tally is what the council was expecting. Eriksen's bid was accepted pending legal review of the contract as well as two other alternates. If the city cannot find better bids for the shallow water slide...
• Sentenced to 136 months in federal prison An Everly man who was accused of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on May 26 in federal court in Sioux City. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jimmy Crouch, 48, of Everly, pled guilty on Dec. 7, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within a protected location, and one count of distribution of methamphetamine within a protected location. At the plea and sentencing hearings, evi...
Kim Morran isn't shy about giving credit where it is due. The O'Brien County Public Health administrator, along with the department's two other staff members, showed their gratitude to volunteers who helped with the county's vaccine rollout during an open house at the courthouse in Primghar on May 25. Special certificates of recognition were distributed during the event and nary a mask was in sight thanks to the inoculation efforts of those involved. "It was very tough," Morran said of the...
There will be no shortage of memories for Cathy Jochims when she officially retires from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on June 18. Whether it was getting "slimed" in the gym, kissing a pig or camping out on the roof to raise money for cancer research, the outgoing elementary principal always tried to make things interesting at H-M-S. "It's been fun," said Jochims. "You really feel like you get to know the students and families so well. I always said though, if I ever had to tell a child that I taught...
Mark Dorhout is stepping out from behind the principal's desk and moving back in front of the classroom. The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School principal is leaving the school district when his contract expires June 30. Dorhout has led the junior high since 2004, which is a long time for someone in that role. "To be in one district as middle school principal for 17 years is not typical," he said. "I feel like it's my calling to be with middle schoolers. Yes, they're going through a ton of diff...
Royal's annual Memorial Day Service was held at the city's Triangle Park on Monday. Members of American Legion Goodwin Post #248 raised the American flag at the park then headed with Auxiliary members to Trimello and Willow Creek cemeteries to decorate the graves of deceased veterans. More than 100 flags waved in glory throughout the festive park grounds. The silhouette of a kneeling soldier sat somberly underneath a solitary tree, allowing a moment of recollection in all that has been...
The last days of school at the former Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary were a flutter of activity as students rushed to complete end-of-the-year tasks and a few untraditional chores. Serving as the junior high this year while the 5-8 grade building in Sanborn underwent renovations, the former elementary school in Hartley said goodbye to students for the final time on Monday, May 24. Before that, however, students helped move classroom furniture, band instruments and other items from the top...
Any changes to Clay Central/Everly's school board election process will have to wait until after the November 2021 election. According to discussion during the board's meeting May 26, CC/E will have to wait until the results of the 2020 U.S. Census are finalized before making any changes to the way its board of directors is elected. Legal counsel said the district could change the current rules by holding a special election, but advised that members hold off until after the upcoming vote this...
The doors aren't locked yet, but Monday marked the end of an era for one of Hartley's most well known buildings. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's old elementary school said goodbye to students for the final time. The multi-level building housed grades 5-8 this year so the middle school in Sanborn could undergo expansive renovations. With the new elementary open in Hartley, the halls are now quiet in the 85-year-old facility. Math teacher Cheryl Kroese watched from her second floor room Friday afternoon...
Downtown Hartley is looking significantly different these days. Renovations are underway at the former Crispy's Stoplight Lounge. Ryan "Stitch" Brehmer purchased the property from former owner Rachel Crist this year, and he didn't waste time getting to work. So far, the interior has been gutted and the vinyl siding has been removed to reveal the building's brick exterior. Brehmer is planning to turn it back into a bar and restaurant. "I've always wanted to have a bar," he said. "It's...
A program next month in Hartley promises to open the eyes of local residents to the dangers of human and sex trafficking in northwest Iowa. Iowa State Patrol Troopers Paul Gardner and Kevin Krull will share information on the illicit underground trade June 3 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hartley. The program will focus on statistics, indicators, court cases, prevention, common myths surrounding human trafficking and age groups that are susceptible to being victimized. "Our hope is that those...
Visitors to Morningside Estates in Hartley have a chance to reflect on the military service of local veterans as soon as they step foot inside the facility. Billie Geerdes, who lives in Morningside Estates, organized a photograph collection of the husbands of women who live in the apartment complex. The spread features pictures of seven military veterans from O'Brien and Clay counties, as well as special items like a Quilt of Valor, an American flag and flowers. For Geerdes, it was the least...
Memorial Day services will return to form next Monday at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Last year's ceremony was held at the Hartley Community Center, where patrons were restricted to listening to the program on their car radios due to social distancing protocol. Things are back to normal this year, as the service will once again be held at the cemetery. Duane Jalas, of Sutherland, will deliver the keynote address. The retired pastor served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was injured...
• Traffic David Carrillo, Primghar, Registration Violation. Kaylin Rae Meyer, Sartell, Minn., Speeding. Amber Beldt, Sheldon, Speeding. LauraLee Mary Evans, Willmar, Minn., No Valid Driver’s License. Keila Giselle Diaz, Boyden, Speeding. Matthew Joseph Fennig, Duncanville, Texas, Registration Violation. Micah Bayo Davis, Paullina, Speeding. Craig Allen Guffey, Milford, Speeding. Nicholas Scott Applegate, Spencer, Speeding. Joel Daniel Wallinga, Primghar, Fraudulent Use of Registration; No Proof of Insurance; Registration Violation. Xavier Ale...
