08/27/20: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

1 more COVID-19 death in Clay County

The total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 in Clay County increased from one to two over the past week.

O’Brien County remained unchanged with seven deaths. Overall, O’Brien County has had 170 total confirmed coronavirus cases since March and 125 recoveries, while Clay County has had 233 cases and 168 recoveries.

The COVID-19 outbreak at Prairie View Campus in Sanborn appears to have stagnated. According to the state’s coronavirus update page, over the past week the facility has had held firm at 20 confirmed cases and 12 recoveries.

State Bank & Insurance celebrating 4 decades

State Bank & Insurance of Everly, Peterson and Spencer is celebrating its 40th anniversary Friday, Aug. 28.

Stop by your local branch for a cupcake to go and State Bank merch.

HPL receives state accreditation

The Hartley Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”

According to the State Library of Iowa, achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. Hartley’s library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and finance, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access and facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2023.

Three hundred and seventy-seven of Iowa’s 542 public libraries, including the Hartley Public Library, are accredited. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program.

Despite temps, panfish bite remains rabid

Iowa Great Lakes water temperatures had cooled down a bit and were around 75 degrees last week, but steamy conditions this week were expected to move the mercury. The area walleye bite has slowed considerably due to very warm water conditions, but the panfish bite has remained excellent in deeper water, especially on West Okoboji.

East Okoboji Lake: The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 76 degrees. Bluegill, good. Find schools in deeper water. Black crappie, fair. Yellow perch, good. Yellow bass, good.

Spirit Lake: The walleye season is open. A great walleye bite was seen in June, but has slowed due to warm water conditions. A great yellow perch bite has slowed down, with many yellows over 10 inches caught. Bites should pick up again as temperatures drop. The water temperature was 75 degrees last week.

Bluegill, good. Schools are starting to move deeper off shore post-spawn. Walleye, fair. A fairly good bite lately can also be seen from shore. Try bottom bouncers or crankbaits to cover more water.

Summer graduates at NCC

Eighty-six students graduated from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon on Friday, July 17. Commencement ceremonies were held in the Northwest Iowa Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center.

Graduates from Hartley were Lucas W. Berkenpas, Engineering Design Diploma; and Brittany L. Brink, Radiologic Technology Degree.

Hartley native retires after 30 years with John Deere

After 30 years of dedicated and committed service with John Deere, Jim Noonan has elected to retire effective Aug. 31.

Noonan began his John Deere career in 1990 in Waterloo at the Product Engineering Center as a design engineer responsible for the design, development and testing of engine auxiliaries on 4WD 60-series tractors. Over the years, he has received 35 tillage, ginning solution and cotton patents with another five pending over his Deere career. Noonan was actively involved with the first Deere Chairman’s Award and three subsequent Deere President’s Awards, and was a major supporter of two AE50 Innovation Awards. His work ethic, dedication and collaborative spirit will be missed in the organization.

Noonan is the son of Karmen Schoelerman and the late John Noonan. He is a 1981 graduate of Hartley High School. He holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University, an MBA from Drake University, and a recent Master’s Certificate in Systems Engineering from ISU.

After his retirement, Noonan and his wife, Joye, plan on traveling that includes visiting their three children, Jenae, Jacob and Jessica, as well as additional skiing and snowmobiling locations. Long-term he hopes to pursue some teaching/project management opportunities at Iowa State University.

Clover Explorer activities-by-mail offered to students

O’Brien County Extension Youth Coordinator Sarah Fiddelke and K-12 Program Specialist Kate Stewart love hosting Clover Kids for first through third graders throughout the county each school year. However, with in-school programming still up-in-the-air due to COVID-19 and school reopening protocols, Fiddelke and Stewart have decided to go back to an old favorite - “snail mail” - to connect with local youth.

The new program called Clover Explorer will feature a once-a-month mailed activity packet for youth in first through third grades. Fiddelke said the activities will be easy and fun yet educational, so youth can do them alone or with their family.

“We are still hopeful that we will be able to host in-person Iowa 4-H Clover Kids sessions at some point this school year, so this Clover Explorer program will be a separate program,” Fiddelke said. “Northwest Iowa youth in first through third grades can join the Clover Explorer mail program and still participate in future Clover Kid sessions if and/or when we are able to start them again.”

Each month’s mailing will feature hands-on activities that reinforce science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) principles. A YouTube video link will be included in each packet, as well as an optional Zoom link to help youth expand their knowledge on the subject matter and connect virtually with other Clover Kids, as well as Fiddelke and Stewart.

The Clover Explorer program will run from October 2020 through June 2021. Cost for the year is only $5. To register visit https://form.jotform.com/4Hregion1/cloverexplorer, or for more information call (712) 957-5045 or email [email protected]