Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 951 - 975 of 1379
As The Great Hall of Royal continues to see numbers grow in its Monday and Thursday morning HIGH Fitness workout classes, it seems interest has also grown in additional exercise options within the community. The Great Hall of Royal will now be hosting yoga classes led by instructor Mandi King on Wednesday nights. King has been practicing yoga for nearly 18 years and teaching classes for close to six years. She stressed that there are no age limits or ability level requirements to her classes. "I...
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary students are in for a surprise when they return to school this month. Librarian Vella Smith recently completed the finishing touches on a 70-foot mural in the library. It includes characters from 55 children's books, and Smith was eager to see the looks on kids' faces when they view it for the first time. "They're going to be blown away," she said. "I think everything turned out quite well." From Harry Potter to the Cat In the Hat to The Pokey Little Puppy, the...
The start of an infrastructure improvement project in east Hartley has been delayed, but the lull isn't expected to affect the completion deadline. Engineer Wes Boyer reported to the city council on Monday that the lift station replacement project will need to hit pause for a month to allow time for an environmental impact review. The lull will push bid letting on the project from September to October. The review is a requirement of the city's Community Development Block Grant, which is paying...
Children at the Hartley Community Daycare Center are seeing green. Brown's Lawn & Landscaping completed the second part of a two-phase improvement project at the facility over the past week, installing artificial turf to the east half of the playground. The addition complements new rubber mulch and play equipment that was installed in June. "The kids love it and we are excited to have this big project finished," said daycare director Kaity Harms. "It looks really nice and is a great addition to...
• Traffic Sarah Rose Mauk, Howard Lake, Minn., Speeding. Michael Monroe, Jr., Sheldon, Failure to Yield. Carol L. McClain, Sanborn, Speeding. Jose Angelio Rodriguez Perez, Worthington, Minn., No Valid Driver’s License; Speeding. Bryce J. Cook, Hartley, Seatbelt Violation. Julius Cesar Fernandez, Jr., LeMars, Speeding. Kevin Dale Mesman, Sioux Falls, S.D., No Valid Driver’s License. Erica Grace Koonce, LeMars, Speeding. Keegan Dean Wielenga, Boyden, Use of Electronic Device. Louis Wayne Smith, Cherokee, Speeding. Leann Renae Kruger, Rock Rapid...
Hartley was a happening place to be last weekend. The masses descended on the City With a Heart for Summer Celebration, which returned after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee member Rachel Wilson said the event went over like gangbusters. "Things went really good," she said. "We had a ton of people come out, and we sold the most wristbands we've ever sold in history." The weather tried to spoil the party on Friday. Rain clouds postponed the teen volleyball tournament...
Projected enrollment numbers made Clay Central/Everly board members crack a smile on July 28. According to Superintendent Kevin Wood, the district is expecting 70 students in PK-6 grade for the 2021-22 school year, up from a previous estimate of 59. CC/E is offering full-day preschool this fall instead of half-day classes, which Wood thinks gave enrollment a boost. "They are good numbers," he said. "We weren't sure where we were going to end up with last year's numbers. We won't know for sure...
• Traffic Andrew Cole Myers, Paullina, Minor in Possession; Speeding. Abreanna Elizabeth Johnson, Sanborn, Failure to Maintain Control. Chasity Ann Johnson Hayes, Milwaukee, Wis., No Valid Driver’s License. David John Farence, Sanborn, Seatbelt Violation. Ryan D. Clark, Omaha, Neb., Speeding. Osiel Salinas, Jr., Hull, Defective Tires. Alex J. Stevens, Fremont, Neb., Speeding. Jakeb Ryan Vakulskas, Sioux City, Dark Windows; Registration Violation. Shane Derek Bellefy, West Des Moines, Speeding. Gabriel Jiminez, Sioux City, Failure to Change Lan...
Everly Fire & Rescue marked its 100th anniversary during a celebration held in conjunction with Everly Community Day on July 31....
New royalty assumed the throne Monday night at the O'Brien County Fair. Kaeley Einck and Jason Wittrock were named queen and king of this year's fair. The duo succeeds 2020 Queen Paige Dagel and King Eric Mars. Sydney Zeutenhorst was named fair princess on Monday and succeeds Sierra Stamer. Wittrock, of Primghar, is the son of Tracy and Shonda Wittrock. He is a 2021 graduate of South O'Brien High School and plans to attend South Dakota State University this fall to study ag science. Wittrock is...
A familiar face is now at the helm of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary. Ashley Benz started her new role as principal earlier this month. The Hartley native graduated from H-M-S in 2004, returning to the district in 2014 to teach fourth grade. She spent the past five years serving as the elementary instructional coach before taking the leap to the top job and succeeding Cathy Jochims. For Benz, the H-M-S Community School District is home. "I absolutely love it," she said. "We just really...
Corey Ramsey may not know how to juggle, but he's getting pretty good at keeping balls in the air. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's middle school principal is juggling a new job, new building and new community all at once. It may be taxing, but he's liked what he's seen from the district so far. "It's been kind of a crazy ride trying to get everything organized," he said. "But we're really excited about this opportunity." Ramsey succeeds Mark Dorhout as the leader of H-M-S's 5-8 grade building. He comes...
The Everly community is gearing up to mark a milestone 100 years in the making. Residents and visitors will celebrate the fire department's centennial this Saturday, July 31. Chief Brian Kahl said the event will allow firemen to show their appreciation to the community for its 10 decades of support. "It's been a lot of planning," he said. "We get a lot of support from other departments and the locals, and we wanted everyone to come over to help us celebrate." Kahl has been on the fire...
Hartley's Summer Celebration isn't holding back this weekend. The four-day party returns July 29-Aug. 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event features a full lineup of fun events for the entire family to enjoy. "We're back and that's pretty exciting," said Summer Celebration Committee member Rachel Wilson. "We're looking forward to everyone coming out and seeing what we have planned." Things kick off tonight with a tiny trike ride at Community Memorial Health Center fol...
Like a runner heading down the homestretch, the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School's facilities project is nearing the finish line. The biggest obstacle to be cleared is completion of the middle school in Sanborn. According to Senior Project Manager Mark Pfister, of Boyd Jones Construction, the end is in sight. "Things are closing up there now," Pfister told the school board on Monday. "I think everything is on schedule at the middle school as we planned. I think school will be able to...
Trees in Everly could be getting a workup this summer. The city council on July 12 reviewed two bids for work on trees in the city's rights of way. Not including the parks, there are 263 trees in the rights of way. David Lux submitted a bid of $8,000 to remove nine trees, grind the stumps, and fill in the holes with dirt and reseed the ground. His bid for roadside trimming was $300/hour for his three-man crew. Mid-America Tree Service's bid for tree removal was $8,500. The company's bid for...
Iowans concerned they may have COVID-19 can now take a test in the comfort of their own home. Test Iowa, the state's free COVID-19 testing program, has transitioned from offering COVID-19 testing at drive-through locations regionally to providing Iowans access to free, self-administered test kits. Locally, take-home testing kits will be available to pick up in Spencer Hospital's emergency department or at O'Brien County Public Health in Primghar. Completed kits will be sent to Iowa's State Hygie...
The City of Royal wants to purchase a mower, but has not been able to test models in order to decide which option is best. According to discussion at the July 14 council meeting, a final decision will depend on staff being able to test a Ferris mower from Jaycox Implement. The city currently has a Ferris mower and is happy with its performance. “We’re holding out for Lake Park to get one there so we can try it out,” said Maintenance Supervisor Sherman Nielsen. “Lance (Kruse) is really impressed with the Ferris. He really likes the one we’ve g...
• Traffic Joshua J. Harrell, Sheldon, Speeding. Allan Robert Langfitt, Jr., Melvin, No Proof of Insurance. Salvador Sanchez Madrigal, Sioux City, Speeding. Alejandro Chilel Martin, Sioux Center, Speeding; No Valid Driver’s License. Jaime Fermin Ramos Ramos, Sioux City, Non Valid Driver’s License. Leah Marie Templer, Sutherland, Speeding. Isaias Jesus Lopez, Worthington, Minn., No Valid Driver’s License. Evan Jeffrey Cluck, Remsen, Careless Driving. Nyden Thompson, Sutherland, Registration Violation. Luis Botello Ramirez, Ottumwa, Speedin...
Recent precipitation has given local crops a boost, but more wet stuff is needed as the calendar approaches August. ISU Extension agronomist Joel DeJong, whose territory covers O'Brien County, said most fields are being "spoon-fed" as the growing season marches towards fall harvest. Extension's precipitation monitor near Primghar has tallied 9.34" of rain since April 1, a departure from average of -3.78". The monitoring station at Sheldon was better, recording 10.15" of rain so far, 2.58"...
Hartley's pool may be out of commission this year, but that hasn't stopped kids and adults alike from finding creative ways to cool down. The Hartley Fire Department on July 8 hosted water fights on Central Avenue. Firemen from Archer, Melvin and Sheldon also joined in on the fun. Kids' water fights kicked off the event. Local children enjoyed duking it out and soaking one another while trying to move a suspended bucket with a stream of water. The firemen were next, waging battle against the...
A familiar face has joined the Everly City Council. Travis Tesch was appointed to the five-person board on Monday. Tesch was elected to the council in 2015 and served one term before choosing not to seek office again in 2019. The Everly native fills the void left by Josh Muckey, who resigned from the council last month. He and his family moved to Spencer. "I'm just filling in and helping the community the best I can," Tesch said. Mayor Brad Behrens said no other Everly residents expressed intere...
Two infrastructure projects in Hartley were the center of attention at Monday's council meeting. Engineer Jim Thiesse provided an update on the city's new industrial park along Highway 18. He reported that most of the work is finished, but a few small jobs like grading near the entryway along the highway need to be completed. "We're working through a couple of issues, but basically it's just loose ends that need to be tied up," Superintendent of Public Work Jaron Benz said after the meeting....
Everly residents love the Hap Ketelsen Community Center, fire and EMS team, and local parks, but affection stops for city streets. That's all according to a survey conducted by an Iowa State University sociology team, which sent out questionnaires to Everly residents earlier this year. Results were shared with the city council on Monday during a presentation that outlined potential solutions to issues noted by respondents. Dr. David Peters and Cora Herbkersman reviewed the results. The...
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