11/19/20: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Summer Food Service Program continues at H-M-S

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:

• H-M-S High School, meals served 12-1 p.m.

• H-M-S Middle School, meals served 11-12:30 p.m.

• H-M-S Elementary School, meals served 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Help available for small businesses and non-profits

Gov. Kim Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to assist small businesses and nonprofits economically impacted by COVID-19.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority's Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term funds to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided during the months of disruption to their business. Visit iowaeda.com/covid-funding-programs/utility/ for more information and an application.

Colder water, hotter perch bite in NWI

Iowa Great Lake water temperatures were around 43 degrees or lower last week with a few areas icing over at night. After this week, air temperatures are expected to be back in the 50's to 60's. Many of the area hoists and docks have been pulled from the lakes to prepare for ice-up. The area walleye bite has started to pick up in many areas where you can wade in off shore. The yellow perch bite has began to pick up in many area lakes.

East Okoboji Lake: The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 42 degrees. Many of the hoists and docks are pulled out for the season.

Lost Island Lake: Yellow perch, good. Anglers are catching 9- to 10-inch perch in 10 feet of water. Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: The walleye season is open; the bite should pick up as water temperatures continue to fall. The water temperature is 39 degrees. Many of the hoists and docks are pulled out for the season. Bluegill, good. Schools are starting to move move out to deeper water around structure. Walleye, fair. Try bottom bouncers or crankbaits to cover more water. Yellow perch, good. The bite has really picked up; fish are starting to be found closer to shore from accessible areas such as docks. Other areas to try are small humps in the main basin or weed edges.

West Okoboji Lake: The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 42 degrees. Many of the hoists and docks are pulled out for the season. Bluegill, good. Schools are deeper off shore. Try fishing in 20-30 feet of water off most points. Anglers have had success using pilkies. Smallmouth bass, fair. Find smallmouth bass on rock piles or on the points. Largemouth bass, fair. Find largemouth bass on the weed lines. Yellow perch, fair. Schools have started to move deeper off shore. Yellow bass, good. Easily find yellow bass while fishing for bluegill.

O'Brien, Clay counties among state's driest

Rainfall in Iowa was almost an inch below normal in October, averaging 1.66 inches over the state, according to the latest water summary update from the DNR.

"While October saw some improvement in conditions in the state, overall the precipitation was below normal," said Tim Hall, DNR's coordinator of hydrology resources, in a news release. "As we move into normally drier months, replenishment of soil moisture and shallow groundwater becomes more challenging. We continue to hope for normal to wetter than normal conditions over the next couple of months."

While about one-third of the state is free from drought and dryness, drought conditions and shallow groundwater supplies remain a concern in northwest and west central Iowa. October rainfall was below normal. Drought conditions are most severe in Sioux, O'Brien and Clay counties, and counties on their borders. Normal to above-normal rainfall is needed in order to improve those conditions.

The October precipitation map shows wetter than average conditions in eastern Iowa, with more than two inches of precipitation in a few northeastern counties. Overall, precipitation fell one to two inches short over much of the state. That leaves a swath of low stream flows in the middle of the state, while conditions are normal throughout most of Iowa.

Iowa temperatures averaged 46.0 degrees or 4.8 degrees below normal for October, placing October 2020 as the sixth-coldest on record. The coldest conditions occurred in northwestern Iowa.

Don't wait to check out Medicare drug plans

You have until Dec. 7 to enroll or change Medicare drug plans for 2021. The two weeks prior to that date will be very busy for the plans, 1-800-Medicare and organizations such as the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) which help individuals compare plans and enroll.

If you're planning to enroll, don't delay. You also have the option of enrolling yourself or getting a family member to help you enroll online at http://www.medicare.gov.

Be sure to print and keep a copy of the confirmation if you enroll online. If you enroll with an agent keep a copy of the enrollment form that is dated and signed by you and the agent. Should you enroll by telephone with 1-800-Medicare or a plan, request a confirmation number, the name of the person enrolling you and note the date and time enrolled.

According to SHIIP, if you are on Medicare and don't have drug coverage or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare's, you will face a penalty for each month you delay enrolling.