Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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A homegrown cake and cupcake business is starting to get its legs in Hartley. With the promise of "quality cakes for a little dough," Lauri's Cakes has seen increased attention in the last few years. Owner Lauri Myers has expanded her customer base via online outlets The Knot and WeddingWire, which has complemented a loyal local following. "If a family is on a very strict budget and can't afford a whole lot, I will work with them," she said. "I'm not too afraid of challenges. I've been coming ou...
The Clay County Fair returns Saturday after a 721-day break, but who's counting? Jeremy Parsons, for one. The fair's CEO and manager is ecstatic to welcome visitors back to Spencer following a two-year hiatus. The big event was canceled last year due to the pandemic for only the fifth time in its 104-year existence, and Parsons, fair board members and other organizers are chomping at the bit to get back at it. "I'm extremely thankful and grateful to have a fair this year. After not having a...
• Accident investigation leads to citations The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office investigated a single-vehicle accident that occurred at 9:39 p.m. on Aug. 27. The sheriff’s office received a report from Collin David McKee, 24, of Hartley, that he was involved in an accident. He stated that he was alone and was not injured. McKee told authorities he was taking a vehicle back to the owner, Travis Sterler, when the accident occurred. According to the report, physical evidence at the scene showed the vehicle crossed the intersection of 330th S...
Some high-flying work is underway in Hartley, but you won't find any acrobats around. A crew this week began work repainting the water tower. According to Hartley Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz, the structure will be pressure washed with the exterior recoated and the logo restenciled. The tank will also be cleaned, and everything inside the tower – like the shaft – will be blasted and repainted. "Everything inside other than inside the tank itself will be getting a recoat. It get...
Hartley residents have a new outlet to dispose of old flags. The Stoltz family recently donated a receptacle in honor of Donald Wichman, Jackie Stoltz's father. The drop box is situated conveniently outside the American Legion's headquarters in downtown Hartley. "I was trying to find something to do with some of Dad's memorial money and thought of this," said Stoltz. "There has never been a drop-off location before for old flags, and people have asked what to do with them. People didn't know...
Residents wishing to earn a spot on their local school boards and city councils have until mid-September to get their name on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. The filing period opened Aug. 23 and runs until Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. Residents can pick up nomination papers at their respective city hall, county auditor's office or by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State's website. Candidates must turn in all nomination materials to their city clerk or county auditor for council elections and board...
Local authorities are still investigating an incident that led to a brief vehicle pursuit and stolen vehicle on Aug. 21 in Hartley. According to Hartley Police Officer Ryan Austin, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Deputy Lee Vellema was in the process of stopping a vehicle near the Hartley Community Daycare Center at approximately 7:30 p.m. when the driver fled before he could activate his lights. The individual went southbound on North Seventh Avenue East, turned west on East Maple Drive, then north through an alley near Peters Construction bef...
Editor Nick Pedley will be out of the office Sept. 3-12. The Sept. 9 edition of the Sentinel-News will not be posted until Sept. 13. Thank you for your patience and understanding....
• Traffic Fernando Angel Curiel, Hawarden, Speeding. Michael Allen Frangenberg, Orange City, Speeding. Jessica Louise Lewis, Hull, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. Anabel Rivas Hurtado, Houston, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Anthony Michael Smythe, Primghar, Seatbelt Violation. Bryce Rasmus Nelson, Sioux City, Use of Electronic Device. Trevor Miller Hormel, Chicago, Ill., Use of Electronic Device; Speeding. Frederic Cotton, Levis G6V7M5, Speeding. Brian William Lux, Hospers, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. Paul Duane Sla...
After a two-month debate, the Clay Central/Everly Board of Education on Aug. 25 approved a special bonus for staff members who returned to their positions this fall. Labeled a "retention incentive," the bonus rewards employees for sticking with CC/E through the COVID-19 pandemic and coming back for the 2021-22 school year. It is worth $500 per qualifying staff member, or $9,000 overall. Board Member Allyn Heikens originally proposed the retention incentive in June as a way to thank employees for...
A series of public informational meetings have been scheduled to inform landowners about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Iowa by Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC. Summit Carbon filed its request for the meeting dates with the Iowa Utilities Board on Aug. 11. The pipeline is proposed to cross 30 Iowa counties, including O'Brien and Clay. Summit Carbon refers to the proposed carbon capture and storage project in Iowa and four other states as the Midwest Carbon Express. The project proposes to...
Employees at Spencer Hospital will now have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to keep their jobs. Citing the health and safety of its patients, visitors and healthcare team, Spencer Hospital implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy effective Sept. 1, 2021. It will require that hospital employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment by Dec. 1. In a message to hospital employees, Spencer Hospital president Bill Bumgarner presented the rationale for the requirement....
Last week's ribbon cutting ceremony at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's new middle school was a bit surreal for Superintendent Patrick Carlin. "Under construction" is all the administrator has ever known since he joined H-M-S in 2018. With the junior high in Sanborn now open and the district's massive facilities upgrade project complete, he's breathing a sigh of relief. "It's exciting to have it all come to culmination," he said. "We've been doing it for three years, and to see it all come together has...
Hartley officials are hoping to win big money for its big pool project. The city council on Monday authorized City Administrator Erica Haack to apply for Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program Funding for the pool project. CAT is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and assists projects that provide recreational, cultural, entertainment and educational attractions in Iowa communities, as well as sports tourism. Haack said the city is applying for $375,000. "A...
A change in buildings to start the new year is not all that's different at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School. To increase instructional minutes, OREO time is no longer on the schedule. The 15-minute homeroom period had been used to create positive relationships, work on social skills, and monitor and help with students' academic progress. According to Principal Corey Ramsey, the change both increases instructional time and reduces unstructured time. Seventh and eighth graders will also...
An abundance of weeds at Everly's sewage treatment facility sparked discussion on Aug. 16 among city council members. Weeds have exploded on the bare ground that surrounds the ponds, which recently underwent significant upgrades. The problem has made planting new grass nearly impossible and Mayor Brad Behrens wants to see the issue addressed. "They're a mess. There's no way we'll get seeding done by September," he said. "Until they're gone, we're never going to get it seeded." Behrens suggested...
• Traffic Harold Otto Postma, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License, 2 counts; Speeding. Erick Rosales Ruiz, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License. Samantha Joann Carman, Omaha, Neb., Speeding. Katherine Louise Seggerman, Rock Rapids, Failure to Maintain Control. Michael Mertes, Sheldon, Registration Violation. Adrianne Aulenbach, Paullina, Speeding. Amanda Lynn Broesder, Little Rock, Seatbelt Violation. Tammy Jean Sestak, Otho, Speeding. Brennan Mykel Sampson, Hartley, Speeding. Bryan Jesse Leth, LeMars, Seatbelt Violation. Nicholas Michael Riley...
The Ocheyedan River west of Everly had more grass growing in its bed than water flowing through it Tuesday evening. This summer's drought has greatly affected streamflow in local rivers, creeks and ditches, with many having dried up or been reduced to a trickle. According to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, a majority of Clay County is experiencing severe drought-like conditions, with a finger in the northeast corner classifed in extreme drought. O'Brien County was faring...
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School's three-year facility project is near the finish line, as the new middle school in Sanborn was officially opened on Aug. 16. "It's a great day to be a Hawk," said Superintendent Patrick Carlin prior to the ribbon cutting. "It's great to be celebrating the middle school opening one year after the elementary opening." After Board President Scott Heetland cut the ribbon, several groups were recognized. They included the bond committee that helped gain...
Local residents are banding together to help a Sutherland woman who's been blindsided by illness. Rhiannon Berger-Amos was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor this spring. She's waged a war in the months since, enduring several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. A benefit is slated in her honor this Saturday, Aug. 21, in Sutherland and Hartley that features a motorcycle ride, supper, horse carriage rides and a silent auction. "Rhiannon was a great asset to our drive-in and we felt we...
Local public health departments are urging unvaccinated residents to get the jab as COVID-19 rates and hospitalizations rise statewide. Clay County Public Health Coordinator Colette Rossiter said local vaccination rates continue to increase weekly, though at a much slower rate than when shots first became available and demand was high. Fifty-five percent of eligible residents in Clay County have been vaccinated and Rossiter noted her office has had many conversations with those still hesitant...
Several changes over the past year have impacted the costs for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District's property and liability insurance coverage. David Treimer and Liz Norgaard, of Treimer's Insurance Agency in Hartley, reviewed the impact of those changes during the board meeting on Aug. 16 in Sanborn. The total premium for 2021-22 is $230,914.90. Treimer explained that comparisons to last year's costs are not realistic due to changes that occurred after coverage went into...
Everly will be looking a bit more clipped come wintertime. The city council on Monday awarded a bid to David Lux for $20,000 to remove and trim trees in town. Ten trees will be removed at a cost of $10,000, while the rest of the money will go towards trimming overgrowth in the road right-of-way. The work is to be done by Thanksgiving. Trees became a point of discussion for the council earlier this summer. In June, resident Jim Hartmann complained that several trees in the right-of-way were...
Language to be included in Royal’s updated code of ordinances was considered by the city council on Aug. 11. The issue of semi parking in residential areas was discussed with Clay County Sheriff Chris Raveling. The sheriff’s office recently responded to concerns related to semi parking. Raveling said they were “isolated instances” and the owners said they were unaware of the 30-minute time limit currently in force. Raveling provided the council with the truck ordinance that was adopted by the City of Webb. That language was adopted due to dama...
• Traffic Jennifer Judith Crosley, Yankton, S.D., Speeding. Joshua Brian Harkness, Jefferson, S.D., Seatbelt Violation. Kory Mikel Van Oort, Ireton, Registration Violation. Joannabie S. Christensen, Hartley, No Proof of Insurance. Jesse Don Baack, Archer, Failure to Obey Stop Sign. Brody Koerselman, Hospers, Seatbelt Violation. Jessica Rae White, Sheldon, Registration Violation. Amber Beldt, Sheldon, No Valid Driver’s License. Patrick Leon Murphy, Newell, Speeding. Sierra Nicole Leech, Nashua, Registration Violation. Collin Richard Charles Bat...
