Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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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...
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...
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