Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 826 - 850 of 1412
An outbreak of COVID-19 at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley has been quelled. According to interim CMHC Director Lisa Lowe, no residents were testing positive for the virus as of Tuesday morning. The facility experienced its first outbreak of the pandemic last month when five residents became infected. Outbreaks at longterm care facilities are only declared when three or more residents test positive for COVID-19. "We have been doing regular testing," Lowe said. "We have completed...
The Clay Central/Everly school board on Jan. 26 agreed to offer an early retirement package to qualifying teachers this year. According to Board Secretary Diane White, the first two eligible CC/E instructors who apply will be considered. Qualifying employees must have completed a total of 15 years of continuous service in the district as a licensed teacher or administrator, or combination of both. The minimum age to qualify is 55. On Superintendent Kevin Wood's recommendation, the board unanimou...
• Traffic Connie Jo Post, Sioux Falls, S.D., Speeding; Failure to Obey Stop Sign. George Caleb Eberhart Gerodias, Sioux City, No Proof of Insurance. Jeffrie Dillyn Mote, Wetumka, Ill., No Valid Driver’s License. Linda Kay Nachreiner, Laurens, Speeding; Registration Violation. Brett Isaac Fifield, Omaha, Neb., Seatbelt Violation. Grant Ross Demars, Paullina, No Valid Driver’s License. Maclovio Rodas Montejo, Wakefield, Neb., Permitting Unauthorized Driver. Phian Lovan, Primghar, Failure to Obey Stop Sign. Layn Joseph Case, Paullina, Speed...
The new owner of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's old elementary school is bubbling with excitement about the building's potential. Michael Reese, of Hestia Investments, says that though the building remains empty, he thinks it will become "a crown jewel for Hartley and O'Brien County." Reese and Hestia winterized the facility and patched the west roof after buying the building for $100 from the H-M-S Community School District in early December. Additional renovations will ramp up in the months ahead. "...
Rep. Dennis Bush isn't hopeful the Iowa Legislature will pass new rules this year restricting the use of eminent domain for private projects. The Cherokee Republican, who represents O'Brien County in House District 3, said Friday in Sheldon that the mood among lawmakers regarding eminent domain law was tepid. He didn't expect any movement on the matter this session, but said the issue could be discussed in some form during the coming weeks. Eminent domain has been a hot topic in rural Iowa over...
Residents in O'Brien and Clay counties are encouraged to attend the 2022 Republican Party and Democratic Party caucuses next Monday, Feb. 7. Caucusgoers will elect delegates to their county convention, choose platform priorities and pick county party leaders. It is encouraged that you are registered to vote and a member of the party you are caucusing for before Feb. 7. If not, bring your ID and proof of residency the night of the caucus and come early. All caucus events, regardless of party,...
• Traffic Francesca Marie Magnussen, Paullina, Trespass. Jared James Magnussen, Paullina, Trespass. Katie Sue Anderson, Hawarden, Use of Electronic Device. Annika Jeanne Henrich, Coon Rapids, Minn., Speeding. Angelica Starr Brosnan, Algona, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. Daniel David DeJong, Hospers, Dark Windows. Kyle Joseph Borchers, Sheldon, Speeding. Brandon Fuentes Cruz, Omaha, Neb., Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License; No Proof of Insurance. Jaiden Rashelle Bonestroo, Hull, Seatbelt Violation. Matthew Wayne Cones, Gilman, Spe...
Local health officials are encouraging residents in O'Brien and Clay counties to take advantage of free COVID-19 tests now available to anyone who requests them from state and federal outlets. The Biden Administration earlier this month purchased 1 billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A half-billion tests were made available for order on Jan. 19 and will be mailed directly to American households that order them online at www.covidtests.gov. Households will...
Five residents and three employees at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley were placed in quarantine during the past week after testing positive for COVID-19. According to interim CMHC Director Lisa Lowe, the facility reported its first positive test on Jan. 16. That number eventually grew in the week that followed, and quarantine protocols were implemented immediately in an attempt to avoid additional spread. Lowe said on Tuesday night that some of the residents who had tested positive...
She doesn't have a military background, but that hasn't stopped Katie Ginger from helping local veterans obtain the services they need. The Hartley woman took over as administrator of O'Brien County Veteran Affairs last month after three months of training. She succeeded Roy Wohlert, also of Hartley, who hung it up at year's end. "I've enjoyed talking with veterans and getting to know them, and I love being involved and coordinating events," Ginger said. "It's been going good." Ginger previously...
Three new faces have taken the reigns of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Kids Backpack Program. Rodney Ahrenstorff and Darla and Russ Meyer started heading the local food program at the start of the year. Though still operated through the Tritonia Club, the Hartley trio handles ordering and stocking goods for distribution to local children in need each week. The Kids Backpack Program was previously led by Kathy Shepherd and other volunteers, who built it into what it is today. "She said we can't let...
• Traffic Kathleen J. Casas. Primghar, No Proof of Insurance. Jesus De Los Santos Chavez, Spirit Lake, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Cheyenne Megan Chindlund, Sheldon, Speeding. Amber Marie Davis, Sioux Center, Speeding. Thaddeus Ryan Mertz, Humboldt, Minor in Possession. Gavin Thomas Strain, Thor, Minor in Possession. Brisa Ivone Ramos De La Cruz, Sibley, Registration Violation. Sean Michael Greiner, Milford, Speeding. Ana Rosy Gomez Lopez, Eagle Grove, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Pedro Daniel Lopez Lopez, Denison, No Valid...
Annual appointments made by mayors of small communities are generally routine. But as the makeup of the Royal City Council has changed as a result of the 2021 election, Mayor Josh Toft used the opportunity to assign members to positions that fit their particular abilities. “I’m trying to put people with the experience that best matches their appointments,” Toft said. The mayor’s appointments approved on Jan. 12 include: Jeff Van Westen – Mayor Pro-Tem; streets and alleys; Jim Virelli – water, sewer, sanitation and landfill; Matt Goyette – e...
A rural Melvin man will fill the District 4 seat on the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn school board. Kyle McCarter was appointed to the seat on Monday. He was one of three individuals who expressed interest in filling the position. Preston DeBoer, of rural Hartley, and Sara Otto, of rural Ocheyedan, were others considered for appointment. The other four board members voted by ballot to fill the position. President Scott Vollink did not state how many votes each candidate received. McCarter immediately t...
A major goal of the Royal City Council has moved from a "someday project" to a potential reality. Council members heard an update on Jan. 12 regarding the estimated cost of repaving 2-1/2 blocks of Main Street. The estimate was made by Jacob DeLoss, of DeLoss Construction in Spencer, after meeting with Mayor Josh Toft, Council Member Matt Goyette and Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen to inspect the street. "We have a starting point," Toft observed. "Whenever we talk about street...
Swimming season may be several months out, but members of the Hartley Community Pool Campaign Committee are still asking locals to dive in with donations. As of Tuesday morning, just over $173,000 had been donated to the pool campaign. The goal is $500,000, and committee spokeswoman Jackie Stoltz admitted they've got a ways to go. "We're plugging along," she said. "If you have a business and haven't donated yet, you can do so by sending a check to City Hall or you can contact either myself,...
The Everly City Council remains at an impasse about how to spend federal pandemic relief dollars. Members on Monday once again mulled how to use funds distributed to the city by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was passed by Congress last year to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to help offset pandemic-related losses. Everly received two payments totaling $81,963, according to previous discussion. The money must be spent by December 2024; however, it comes with strict stipulations. Right now, the council is having a hard...
Though absent for most of the winter, snow returned to northwest Iowa last week. A winter storm dumped various amounts of accumulation throughout the area on Jan. 14, canceling school and other events. According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, Sheldon received 4.5" while Spencer recorded 10.4". Milford was in the middle at 8". The ground is white again, but the area is still lagging behind average accumulation totals. According to the NWS's records, Sioux City recorded its...
• Traffic Brian L. Parks, Sheldon, Trespass. Krista Dawn Badhorse, Primghar, No Proof of Insurance. Damon Blake Ashworth, Excelsior Springs, Mo., Speeding. Jessica Rae Webber, Otsego, Minn., Speeding. Christian Joseph Maldonado, Hospers, Speeding. Philip Jon Krug, Remsen, Failure to Display Safety (SMV) Device. Niel N. Riedemann, West Des Moines, Seatbelt Violation; Violation of Restricted Driver’s License. Susan A. Butcher, Scottsdale, Ariz., Speeding. Amelia Grace Singleton, Delano, Minn., Speeding. Mark A. Bowling, Naperville, Ill., Spe...
Last year was the second dry year in a row for Iowa. Over the previous 24 months, parts of central and west central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture. Both streamflow and groundwater conditions were of concern throughout much of 2021, but the third-wettest October on record helped to end the year with near normal conditions. "Looking back on 2021, the wet October we experienced in Iowa really helped set us up for better spring conditions," said Tim Hall, DNR's coordinator of...
Farmland values in O'Brien and Clay counties exploded over the past year due to positive factors affecting the U.S. ag economy and inflation. The annual Iowa State Land Value Survey released last month reported a 28.7 percent increase in O'Brien County farmland prices in 2021 and a 30.6 percent increase in Clay County. The report noted surging ethanol demand and higher commodity prices as reasons for the 29 percent statewide increase in farmland values last year, as well as better-than-expected...
Members of Arthur W. Kirchhoff American Legion Post #288 were recently brought closer to a man none of them knew – Kirchhoff himself. Past Post Cmdr. Cliff Ripke in November received photos of Kirchhoff's grave from friends Terry and Karolyn Collins, of La Crosse, Wis. Buried at Oise-Aisne Cemetery in Fere-en-Tardenois, France, the Hartley teen was killed in 1918 near Sergy while serving during World War I. As far as Ripke is aware, nobody from Hartley has ever been to Kirchhoff's grave or s...
If a healthy dose of fiber is great for your diet, it's even better for internet speeds. Local internet service providers Evertek and Royal Telephone Company know this firsthand. Now thanks to a grant from the governor's office, they will be able to expand their fiber network to rural customers in northwest Iowa. "It was nice to see that money come back to us, a company that has been in the area for several years," said Evertek CEO Roxanne White. "We are excited for the opportunity we've been...
Five Hartley firefighters are looking fresh thanks to a grant from the O’Brien County Community Foundation (OCCF). The local department was able to purchase new bunker gear for a portion of the squad at a cost of $9,000. The grant covered $5,000 of the total, while the rest was paid for with funds from the annual pancake feed and other contributions. “We’re very appreciative to the community foundation and everyone who supports our pancake fundraiser every year,” said Fire Chief Brad Meender...
• Traffic Dalton Mitchell Garrett, Spencer, Speeding. Darious M. Bolden, Milwaukee, Wis., Speeding. Dakota Drake Choung Phi, Kansas City, Mo., Speeding. Benjamin J. Kamphoff, Spokane Valley, Wash., Seatbelt Violation. Angela Ashley Betancourt, Royal, Failure to Obey Stop Sign. Donavan Sheriff, Sheldon, Speeding. Tanner John Young, Sheldon, No Proof of Insurance. Robert Allen Stowe, Jr., Westfield, Dark Windows. Richard Michael Treague, Malvern, Speeding. Dena Rae Montera, Brea, Calif., Speeding. Elizabeth Carey, Sheldon, Dark Windows. E...
