02/02/21: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Named to Dean’s List at N’Western College

Erik Vander Laan and Abby Vander Laan, students at Northwestern College in Orange City, have earned a spot on the Academic Dean’s List for the fall 2020 semester.

The Dean’s List is comprised of students who have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above while carrying a minimum of 12 graded hours. This semester, 435 students qualified for the Dean’s List. Students who earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher are considered Collegiate Scholars. Of the 269 Collegiate Scholars, 78 of them maintained a perfect 4.0 average.

Erik is a senior computer science and mathematics major, and Abby is a senior social work major. They are the children of Lori Hibma, of Hartley.

Area students honored at DMACC

Three Hartley area students have been honored for their academic performances or for graduating from Des Moines Area Community College.

Marty Schmidt, a Liberal Arts student, was included on the fall semester President’s List at DMACC. To be eligible, a student must have completed a minimum of six credits and earned a 4.0 grade point average for the semester.

Ashley Westphal, a student in the Dental Assistant program, was named to the fall Dean’s List at DMACC. To be eligible, a student must have completed a minimum of six credits and earned a grade point average of 3.5-3.99 for the semester.

Wesley Peters was among more than 900 fall semester graduates at DMACC’s campuses. He was a Liberal Arts student.

Website designed to help Iowans with mental health needs

Mental health professionals from Iowa’s nine AEAs recently collaborated to create a website for Iowans who are searching for mental health assistance.

The website, http://www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org, came from a request by the Iowa Legislature to help educators, parents and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa. In addition to AEA contacts for the schools, the site provides contacts for the home setting from Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services.

The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse; anxiety and stress disorders; attention deficit disorder; depression; eating disorders; and self-harm. A listing of Iowa groups and agencies that advocate for children and families is part of an education component of the site, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

The site also provides information about proactive measures people can take for self-care.

NWI fishing report

Iowa Great Lakes are fully iced up with thickness ranging from 13-14 inches. The use of full-sized vehicles is not recommended. Caution – there are still many seams throughout the lakes area.

Center Lake: Caution – winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice thickness is around 12.5 inches.

Dog Creek (Lake): Fishing has been fair to good.

East Okoboji Lake: Ice conditions vary across the lake with averages around 13 inches or more. The walleye season is open. Bluegill, good. Easily catch lots of bluegill; a lot of sorting may be needed with many 7.5- to 9-inch fish. Yellow perch, fair. Black crappie, fair.

Ingham Lake: Caution – winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice thickness is around 13 inches with two major open holes caused by geese and the lake aeration unit. Yellow perch, fair. Anglers are catching larger yellow perch, but with low frequency.

Lake Pahoja: Bluegill, fair. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Black crappie, fair. Try small jigs tipped with waxworms.

Lost Island Lake: Caution – winter aeration system is currently running on the northeast side near the nature center. Ice thickness is 10-13 inches. A good amount of fishing pressure has been seen recently. Yellow perch, good. Walleye, fair.

Minnewashta Lake: Bluegill, good. Lots of 4- to 6-inch fish are being caught. Black crappie, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Caution – winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice conditions are around 10 inches, but can be variable. Use caution; a side-by-side went through the ice the last week of December. Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: Ice thickness across the lake is around 13 or more inches. The walleye season is open. Yellow perch, fair. Perch fishing has been tough, but once you find them, many quality 9- to 10.5-inchers have been caught. Walleye, fair. Walleye bite has been tough.

Trumbull Lake: Ice thickness is around 11 inches with an open hole on the north end caused by geese.

West Okoboji Lake: Ice thickness varies, starting around 13 inches. Caution – there are many seams across the lake. The walleye season is open. Panfishing has been spotty in many of the bays where many anglers have been able to sight fish in around 10 feet of water along weed lines. Yellow perch, fair. Bluegill, good.

COVID relief funding available for bars, restaurants

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to provide relief for eligible restaurants and bars impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Program may assist eligible businesses that experienced a decrease in gross sales of at least 15 percent during the second and third quarters of 2020, compared to the same time the previous year. Grant award amounts will be determined using a tiered system based on the percent of gross sales loss.

The online application is now available at iowabusinessrecovery.com and will close on Monday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. All applications submitted by that date will be considered for an award. Please note that the program is not first come, first served. Go to iowaeda.com for more details.