Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 251 - 275 of 1379
A familiar slate of business greeted the Hartley City Council on Monday during its first meeting of 2024. Annual reports and appointments topped the short agenda. Up first were library board members Carolyn Rubsam and Kathy Wacker, who reported 8,761 books and 1,569 movies were checked out last year. The duo also noted the director and adult programming director positions have been filled. Next up was ambulance team member Darla Meyer, who reported the team responded to 289 calls in 2023. That...
Kevin Virgil, a former Army Ranger and CIA operations officer, announced last week that he is running for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District as a Republican. Virgil, who grew up near Sutherland and graduated from South O'Brien High School, said his campaign was founded on the principles of true conservatism and emphasized Iowa's need for a "representative who will fervently defend these values in Washington." The Fourth District is currently represented by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull), who...
• Traffic Kayla Danae Koster, Paullina, Speeding. Edgar Tarango Pasillas, Hartley, No Proof of Insurance; Speeding; No Driver’s License. Patricia Baldelamar, Hartley, Permitting Unauthorized Driver. Raul Lopez Solis, Sioux City, Defective Tires; No Driver’s License; Speeding. Henry Richard Thalen, Ponoka, OC, Speeding. Morgan Leigh Gongaware, Germantown, Use of Electronic Device. Tyler Jacob Kauffman, New Richmond, Wis., No Proof of Insurance; No Valid Driver’s License; Speeding. Jaury M. Perez Rucu, Storm Lake, Speeding; No Valid Driver...
With strong majorities in both the House and Senate, Iowa Republicans are once again hoping to keep Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk piled high with bills to sign during the 2024 legislative session. The 90th Iowa General Assembly kicks off Jan. 8 with a target end date of April 16. GOP lawmakers are eyeing changes to the tax code as well as other top priorities when the gavel sounds in Des Moines. Local lawmakers include: Rep. Zach Dieken, House District 5; Sen. Lynn Evans, Senate District 3; Rep....
The composition of some classrooms at Clay Central/Everly Elementary will look different in August. The school board on Dec. 27 voted unanimously to shift to multi-grade level classrooms next fall. According to discussion, the change will only affect certain grades and not all K-6 levels. "Moving forward, CC/E is going to be here," said Superintendent Kevin Wood. "It's just going to look a little different." The board and administration had been discussing the move since August due to low...
• Injured in semi rollover Ronald Peters, of Rembrandt, was driving a 2017 Peterbilt semi on Highway 71 just north of Spencer at 5 a.m. on Dec. 24. As he reached for something on the passenger seat, the rig went off the road and traveled into the median, coming to rest on its side. According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Peters was trapped in the cab and was removed with the assistance of firefighters. He was taken by ambulance to the Spencer Hospital. The tractor and trailer were totaled. The Iowa State Patrol, Spencer Police Dep...
And just like that, the sun has set on 2023 and we're on to the New Year. Though the pages of the Sentinel-News were filled with hundreds of stories over the past 365 days, some stood head and shoulders above the rest. They commanded multiple headlines throughout the year and impacted the community in unique ways. With the page about to flip to 2024, it's time to fill the 2023 scrapbook. What follows is a rundown of the biggest stories to grace the pages of the Sentinel-News during past year....
The average value of an acre of O'Brien County farmland took the silver medal in this year's Iowa State Land Value Survey. Sioux County reigned supreme, averaging a price of $16,521 per acre. O'Brien County tallied $16,313 per acre, down 1.3 percent from $16,531. Values in Clay County were down 0.4 percent from $13,943 to $13,887, while Osceola County's average was down 1.3 percent from $14,360 to $14,170. Slight dips in northwest Iowa were buoyed by increases elsewhere. The survey reported a...
The current drought is the longest in Iowa since the 1950s, with abnormally dry and drought conditions extending into the 188th week in a row, according to the latest data available. Following the 16th-driest November on record, precipitation for December is currently about 60 percent of average, which is normally 1.37 inches. Portions of southeast Iowa recorded above normal rainfall for the month, leaving most of the state with below average precipitation. Once last weekend's precipitation...
• Couple charged with child endangerment Two Hartley residents are accused of using marijuana in the presence of a child. The criminal complaint states that Johnathan Peters, 26, and Victoria Barnes, 25, were arrested on Dec. 18 after a child tested positive for THC metabolite, indicating that marijuana may have been used in the home. The adults reportedly admitted to using marijuana daily, but not in the presence of the child. Peters and Barnes were charged with Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person, a class C felony, and a m...
Winter's bite has been made a lot less bitter thanks to the efforts of a special program at Clay Central/Everly Elementary. Staff members last year spearheaded the creation of Maverick Missions, which raises money to purchase various items for local families in need. According to Director of Student Services Michelle Huntress, staff noticed children had needs that were hard for some families to meet when the weather turned cold. They wanted to do something about it, and thus Maverick Missions...
A rural Hartley woman is using her four-legged friends to help local children gain trust, confidence and friendship. Darcy Morphew founded T Time Equine Assisted Coaching this fall and has been working through the certification process. Once she gets the stamp of approval, local youth will be able to visit her farm and enjoy a variety of horse-related activities with multiple social benefits. "Horses are special in the way they are calming and nonjudgmental," Morphew explained. "My focus is...
To help manage costs for purchasing natural gas, the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District is joining a statewide government risk pool program. The school board on Monday authorized the district to enter into an agreement with the Iowa Local Government Risk Pool. The purpose of the program is to "transfer risks of increases in natural gas costs due to weather-driven demand and other market forces away from the school district." H-M-S will join the pool on Jan. 1, 2024. Superintendent...
The City of Royal is considering a "do it yourself" approach to repaving portions of Main Street. City council members have been discussing the need to repave Main Street. Estimates to completely rebuild the street and three intersections range from $700,000 to $900,000. Milling off existing asphalt and repaving the street is estimated to cost approximately $400,000. Considering the potential costs and requirements that accompany any grant funding the city might receive for the project, Mayor...
• Traffic William Allen Mattingly, Ruthven, Trespass. Paige Marie Svanda, Russellville, Ark., No Valid Driver’s Licenses. Berhanu Adane Tegegne, Blacklick, Ohio, Speeding. Marissa Lynn Kramer, Sioux City, Speeding. Dawson Blake Snider, Daphne, Ala., Speeding. Beckie Lynne Bunch, Paullina, Registration Violation. Gavin Drew Johnson, Frost, Minn., Speeding. Tristan Stephen Dimmitt, Sibley, Speeding. Octaviano Morales Martin, Sioux Center, No Valid Driver’s License. Joan Santos Dominguez, Omaha, Neb., No Valid Driver’s License. Andrew Walter...
Dear Santa, My name is Jared. I am in first grade at CC/E. I am six years old. I would like a surprise for Christmas. I would also like some toy tractors and two hockey sticks with a puck-air hockey. Thank you and Merry Christmas, Santa! Love, Jared Hollenbeck Dear Santa, My name is Emmett. I am in first grade at CC/E. How are you? For Christmas this year I would like turbo rocket roller skates. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Love, Emmett Christensen Dear Santa, I am six years old. I go to...
Dear Santa, I want slime and a fake ring. I need tablet. Hayden Dear Santa, I've been kinda good and I want new slipers and I want a Mackin dall. From Averie Dear Santa, I've been good. I want Bowser's ship for Christmas. I need Mario stuff for Christmas. I want a car. I want a game. From Jordan Dear Santa, I've ben good. I want cloes and Barbies Finnley Dear Santa, I have been good. I need a Doll and I need a cool watch, a phone, a dog, a robot. Adelia Dear Santa, I've been good this year. I wa...
The demolition of one downtown Hartley building has revealed significant issues with another. Real Reflections owner Tricia Elgersma last month was forced to move operations of her business across the street to Salon West. The abrupt change of space came following the demolition of the former Create-A-Craft building in November, which sat directly north of Real Reflections. According to Elgersma, previously unseen water issues were revealed when the neighboring building was torn down. Moisture...
• Traffic Austin Lee Meier, Bingham Lake, Minn., Speeding. Adonay Ayala Sanchez, Wills, Minn., No Valid Driver’s License. Enrique Chavez Salazar, Washington, No Proof of Insurance. Michael John Genrich, LuVerne, Registration Violation. John Pennings, Sheldon, Seatbelt Violation. Geovani Gabriel Rohlfsen, Paullina, Minor in Possession, Tobacco. Meredith Diane Hunt, Sutherland, Minor in Possession, Tobacco. Adriana Antonia Vasquez, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License; Failure to Use Child Restraint Device. Blake E. Boone, Sheldon, Failure to Yi...
A local telecommunications company is about to change hands. Royal Telephone Company (RTC) was sold to Premier Communications, of Sioux Center, in late October. According to RTC officials, the business will officially change hands in early January of 2024. RTC General Manager John Noah said the company was approached by Premier with a purchase offer earlier this year. "Premier is uniquely positioned to continue Royal's legacy of providing exceptional service to customers in and around Royal,"...
Jerry Olson will now have a little more free time on the second Monday night of each month. The longtime Hartley City Council member logged his final meeting Monday. Olson served 16 cumulative years on the council and did not seek re-election this year. "It's been fun and enjoyable," Olson said during prepared remarks at the conclusion of the meeting. "Is it emotional? Yes it is." Olson was first elected to the council in 2005 and served two terms. He was elected again after a two-year break in...
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said he is no longer a Libertarian – but told a crowd in Primghar Saturday afternoon that he still holds many of the same values as some Libertarians, including opposition to the use of eminent domain in building carbon-capture pipelines. Answering questions from a group of more than 40 people gathered at the Primghar Pizza Ranch, Ramaswamy addressed a claim from Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, who said that Ramaswamy voted for former President B... 
Website
Ongoing discussion about combining certain grade levels into one classroom topped discussion Nov. 30 at the Clay Central/Everly school board meeting. School officials have been studying operations at Stratford Elementary, which faces small enrollment numbers like CC/E. According to discussion, Stratford routinely combines certain grade levels into one classroom to give students more opportunities to collaborate and build relationships. CC/E, which currently has 51 students in grades K-6, has...
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Dance Attack last week added to its growing trophy chest. The team won fourth place finishes in Class 1 Hoopla and Class 1 Novelty, and also third place in the Lights category at the 48th annual Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championships in Des Moines. Coach Brittany Dolphin was ecstatic about the Hawks' performances. "They did some of the best routines they've ever done," she said. "I'm a very proud coach. They worked extremely hard." More than 650 routin...
