Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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A rural northwest Iowa water utility will be required to shut down its wells near the Ocheyedan River when its flow is very low, according to a permit recently issued by state regulators. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has determined that several wells operated by the Osceola County Rural Water System have contributed to the river running dry near May City. That has happened five times in eight years. The DNR put more-restrictive conditions on the operation of the wells last year that... 
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All voters interested in voting absentee for the June 4, 2024 primary election may file requests for absentee ballots with their county auditor's office. Voters wishing to receive a ballot by mail for the primary election will need to complete an absentee ballot request form and return it to either the Clay County Auditor's Office, 300 West 4th Street, Ste. 4, Spencer, or O'Brien County Auditor's Office, 115 S Hayes Ave., Primghar, before 5 p.m. on May 20. In-person absentee voting will begin Ma...
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...
• Traffic Destiny Alexandra Olvera, Hartley, Following Too Close. Luis R. Perez Villarreal, Alamo, Texas, Hours of Service Violation. Shannon Lee Buenning, Parkston, S.D., Seatbelt Violation. Jamin Lee Verdoorn, Hospers, Seatbelt Violation. Grissel Dariana Olivas Aguilar, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License. Joe Diaz, Sun Valley, Nev., No Valid Driver’s License. Joshua Mark Kooiker, Sheldon, Speeding. Brian Jay Pals, Hartley, Speeding. Katie Lynn Wittrock, Rossie, Failure to Maintain Control. Alisa Wrayne Clemmons, Sutherland, No Proof of Insur...
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...
The Royal City Council indicated willingness to sell a parcel located near the AgState elevator and agreed to take the required legal steps to complete the transaction. During the council meeting on April 17, North Region Leader Jason Huff said that AgState intends to construct a scale at the north end of their grain storage complex. They need to acquire a small parcel of city-owned land if the scale is located there. “We’re not set on where we have to have it today,” Huff explained. “If that property is not for sale, then we go to Plan B, whic...
Four young ladies will compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen on Sunday, April 28, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the contest. Contestants include Linnea Bloom, of Marathon, the daughter of Stephen and Melanie Bloom; Aubrie Stell, of Spencer, the daughter of Jason and Melissa Stell; Hannah Tessum, of Everly, the daughter of Tyler and Ashley Tessum; and Addison Wyman of Spencer, daughter of Leah Wyman. Tessum is a student at...
• Traffic Patrick Leon Murphy, Newell, Failure to Reduce Speed. Ethan Adam Tyler, Alton, Dark Windows. Krishan Lai, Fresno, Calif., Violation of Safety Regulations; No Fuel Permit. Alyssa Marie Heeren, Paullina, Speeding. Darnell Lamar Griffis, II, Worthington, Minn., Speeding. Bee Vang, St. Paul, Minn., Speeding. Calex John Alexander Banta, Sioux City, Speeding. Tony Harm Hughes, Matlock, Failure to Use Child Restraint Device. Stephanie Lynn Rink, Remsen, Speeding. Alejandro Garcia Jesus, Sheldon, Speeding. Brian Dean Utesch, Merrill, F...
We celebrated National Agriculture Week last month on the heels of a new industry census, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues every five years. The report spotlights short-term trends, with USDA’s latest survey covering 2017 through 2022. It also contextualizes long-term themes: How does today’s farm landscape measure against those of decades past? This year’s census data offered a window into an ever-widening gap – one an Iowa State University economist dubbed “the disappear...
A dilapidated building in downtown Hartley will remain standing for at least another year. Officials at City Hall this week learned that Hartley's application for a Derelict Building Grant to tear down the old Capitol Theatre was denied by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR last year approved a $25,000 grant to remove asbestos and other hazardous material from the building, which had council members optimistic more funds would be allocated for its complete removal. City...
The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District's property tax rate will continue its downward trend in the upcoming fiscal year. The 2024-25 levy rate approved at Monday's school board meeting is $12.56 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. According to Superintendent Patrick Carlin, H-M-S's property tax rate has declined since the high of $13.29 following passage of the bond issue in 2018. Published property tax rates were $13.09 for 2021-22, $12.94 for 2022-23 and $12.85 for the current...
Young academics at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School excelled during a state competition in Ames earlier this month. The students traveled to the campus of Iowa State University for the 2024 State Science Technology Fair of Iowa, where they joined over 600 students from 70 schools across the state. They showcased their exhibits on a variety of topics ranging from chewing gum and bad breath to stain removers and pet urine. Eighteen students in grades 6-8 participated from H-M-S. Big winners...
• Traffic Lakota Cowell, Rock Rapids, Minor in Possession, Alcohol. Matson Matuez, Montevideo, Minn., Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Enrique Luis Quiles Gonzalez, Sheldon, Dark Windows. Jean Marie Smith, Sioux Falls, S.D., Speeding. Tabatha Dee Monen, Sheldon, Careless Driving. Carmelo Burgos Berrocal, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License. Renato Rubio, Hawarden, Speeding. Kevin Ramos Chilel, Worthington, Minn., Following Too Close; No Valid Driver’s License; No Proof of Insurance. Michael John Van Surksum, Doon, Speeding. Donna Marie D...
Youngsters at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary are learning that you don't need to be outside to enjoy biking. For the past two years, PE teacher Janet Prins has been engaging TK-K students with a unit on bike basics. Children learn how to balance and steer on pedal-free Strider Bikes before the pedals are added towards the end of the unit. "The kids absolutely love these bikes," Prins said. "It doesn't matter if they know how to ride or not, they like being able to use the bikes in the gym."...
One of Mother Nature's most dazzling feats was dulled Monday by one of her more mundane. Thanks to an overcast sky, the widely-hyped solar eclipse was rendered somewhat invisible depending on your location in northwest Iowa. Those with a completely overcast view noticed a darker sky, but some still caught a glimpse of the phenomenon peaking through the clouds. Elementary students at Clay Central/Everly crowded the school grounds with special glasses to watch the show – or attempted to, at l...
Pale is a good thing when it comes to the U.S. Drought Monitor's maps, and last week's was delightfully bland for O'Brien County. The map released on April 4 showed O'Brien County as completely drought-free along with Osceola and Plymouth counties. Portions of other northwest Iowa counties were also listed as drought-free, while the remaining land mass was "abnormally dry." The region was the best off in the state as far as precipitation levels go. According to the map, around 20 counties in...
The Clay County Fair this week announced Third Eye Blind will perform as part of the SRG Concert Series at the 2024 Clay County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 14. A special guest will be announced at a later date. Since 1997, San Francisco's Third Eye Blind has recorded five best-selling albums and assembled one career retrospective. Led by Stephan Jenkins, 3EB has earned worldwide success in its almost three decades of existence. Third Eye Blind's 2021 album Our Bande Apart was recorded when lockdown...
• Traffic Falmata Gemachu Gishe, St. Paul, Minn., Speeding. Rolando Rodolfo Chavez Lopez, Sheldon, Trespass 1st Offense. Sara Kay Dolphin, Sanborn, Registration Violation. Shelby Marie Case, Primghar, Dark Windows. Steven Dean Loshman, Calumet, Failure to Obey Stop Sign. Krista Lea Wolthuis, Spencer, Speeding. Sara M. Schilling, Sanborn, Use of Electronic Device. Renie Lynn Rasheed, Sioux City, Speeding. Cole Michael Jensen, Primghar, Speeding. Alexis Minna Grover, Sanborn, Use of Electronic Device. John Wayne Wilkinson, North Sioux City, S...
Guests at the Hartley Community Center's annual VIP Supper are in for tricks, treats and plenty of laughs on Saturday night. This year's entertainment will feature Alan Sands, who will bring his comedic magic act to the City With a Heart. Sands, who is also a renowned hypnotist, will put on a show following supper at 7:30 p.m. "I saw a comedy magical show one time and thought it would be a really fun thing to bring here," said community center Director Jessika Storm. "We try to avoid repeating...
Ground won't be broken any time soon, but Hartley leaders are eyeing a new building at Neebel Park. The city council last month discussed the need to replace the current shelter house on the west side of the park. According to Council Member Ron Hengeveld, it's in rough shape and getting worse. "It's embarrassing," he said. "It needs to go away, and it's not fixable." Hengeveld and Superintendent of Public Works Tony Weatherman recently inspected the structure, which was built in 1970,...
Local children converged on the grounds at Community Memorial Health Center last Saturday for the I.E.F. Club's annual Easter egg hunt. This year there were 105 hunters split into three age groups. I.E.F. Club members scattered hundreds of eggs across the CMHC property, and goodie bags were provided to each participant at the conclusion of the hunt. In addition to taste treats, a drawing was held for pool passes and scooters....
The Clay County Countrymen 4-H Club hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Everly City Park last Saturday morning to kick off the holiday weekend. A full shelter house of children ages 0-10 were there, ready to search high and low for Easter eggs galore. The Clay County Countrymen crew helped fill and hide over 1,300 eggs for the occasion. To the south, Royal Community Action's annual Easter Egg hunt was hosted at the Royal City Park on the same day. The event was complete with a surprise...
