Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 1026 - 1050 of 1412
With the end of June on the horizon, concerns about the timely completion of the new Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School and other facilities projects were voiced during Monday's school board meeting. Members of the building committee, Board President Scott Heetland and Board Vice President Scott Vollink, expressed frustration with several issues. Some of it was directed toward Boyd Jones, the firm which serves as project manager. According to Heetland, "Things are not getting done." "Timelines...
An Everly man is sparkling with anger over fireworks usage in town. Jim Hartmann on Monday expressed vocal concern to the city council about the prolific use of pyrotechnics in his neighborhood. He claimed to have found two spent aerial fireworks canisters on his roof last year, which burned the tar. He believed they fell onto his house during one of his neighbor's raucous displays and was worried issues would persist this summer. "I've got a neighbor that likes his beer, and he likes to shoot...
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more outgoing 100-year-old than Winnie Mack. The Hartley woman turns a century old on Friday, but she still doesn't know where the time has gone. It's really no bother to her, though, because she follows one guiding principle. "My motto is, 'Do the best you can with what you've got,' " she said. "I always say to take everything one day at a time, sweet Jesus." Mack still lives alone in her Hartley home. She wears a Life Alert necklace at all times and receives...
Christmas is coming early for tykes and toddlers at the Hartley Community Daycare Center. The local facility is in the process of installing new playground equipment and rubber mulch in the outdoor recreation area. Existing pea rock and other structures will be removed to make room for the improvements, which were made possible by grants and fundraisers. Daycare director Kaity Harms said she's been eyeing playground upgrades since she took the job in the summer of 2019. "I made a list of things...
• Traffic Kevin Lopez Berduo, Worthington, Minn., No Valid Driver’s License; Speeding; No Proof of Insurance. Marie Geraldine Jeppesen, Sibley, Use of Electronic Device. Katlynn Jeanne Letien, Milford, Speeding. Timothy Ertim, Sibley, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Angela Michelle Heideman, Ashton, Speeding. Gordon F. Glade, Grand Island, Neb., Speeding. Steven Curtis Daniels, Sheldon, Hunting/Fishing License Violation. Travis Allen Arens, Sibley, No Proof of Insurance. Mason Glenn Nerness, Sheldon, Violation of Restricted License; Regis...
Hartley's old swimming pool is looking a little barren. A city crew last week removed five trees and knocked down the small structure that housed chemical equipment on the southwest side of the facility. According to Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz, the work completed the city's demolition obligations prior to the construction company's arrival. He expected things to really kick up within the coming week. "Demolition is tentatively scheduled for the first week of July, and that should...
The O'Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling more than $81,000 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout the county. Grants were presented June 17 at the Primghar Community Building. One of the grant recipients was the Hartley Volunteer Fire Department, which was awarded a $5,000 grant for bunker gear. Other groups receiving grants, grant amounts and projects include:...
The City of Hartley will have almost half of a $1.1 million infrastructure project paid for before the first shovel pierces the ground later this summer. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) on June 3 announced Hartley was the recipient of a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The money will help cover expenses for upgrades to the lift station located at North Eighth Avenue East and Second Street Northeast that serves a large portion of the northeast quadrant of town....
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...
