Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
H-M-S Elementary Students of the Month: September Students of the Month at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementarty pictured front row, from left to right: Katelyn Rye (2B), Kinley Ebel (TK), Kathy Moreno (KB), Weston Wetrich (1A) and Aria McMillan (KA). Back row: Keegan Van Roekel (4A), Alem Van Roekel (2A), Kipten Ebel (2C), Blake Clancy (1B), Parker Nachtigal (3B) and Alana Tifft (3A).
Clay Central/Elementary Star Students for the month of September were recently announced. Star students are selected by displaying the PBIS characteristics of a true Maverick, showing that they are ready, respectful and responsible in and outside of the classroom. Their positive attitudes, inclusiveness and kindness all add up to their receipt of this monthly honor. Star Students pictured from left to right: Ruxen Tewes, first grade; Maggie Campbell, kindergartner; Bentlee Tewes, third grade; Wyatt Geerdes, fourth grade; Leo Geerdes, second grade; Lexi Jones, fifth grade; and Abby Morales, sixth grade.
Talents and skills cultivated at CC/E: Fifth and sixth grade students at Clay Central/Everly Elementary have been busy developing interests, cultivating new skills and honing their talents using STEM robotics, engineering stations and hands-on-learning. The curriculum allows children to test their knowledge in creative and educational ways.
Voter pre-registration deadline is Oct. 18
The deadline to pre-register to vote in the city/school election is Monday, Oct. 18. If an eligible elector in Clay County is not already registered to vote, he or she may do so in one of the following ways:
• Register to vote by mail: Voter registration forms are available on the Clay County website https://claycounty.iowa.gov/. The completed form should be delivered or mailed to the Clay County Auditor's Office, 300 West 4th Street, Ste. 4, Spencer, IA 51301.
• Register to vote in person at the Clay County Auditor's Office by Oct. 18 at 5 p.m.
• Register to vote online: Voters may go to https://sos.iowa.gov/ and follow the online voter registration link. An Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID is required for online registration.
Eligible electors may also register to vote on Election Day with both proof of identify and proof of residency. This "Same Day Voter Registration" procedure may slow up the voting experience for voters choosing to wait until Election Day to register and vote at the polling site.
Voters do not need to pre-register before every election. You only need to pre-register if you have moved or have a name change. If you have questions about your voter status, please call the Auditor's Office at (712) 262-1569.
Absentee ballot requests for city/school election due Oct. 18
Clay County voters interested in voting absentee for the Nov. 2 city/school election may file requests for absentee ballots with the Clay County Auditor's Office.
Due to recent legislation, the time period to request absentee ballots has gone from 120 days to 70 days. The new legislation also has shortened the number of days that the Auditor's Office may have ballots available for absentee voting. Voters now have 20 days to vote absentee either by mail or in-person rather than 29 days.
Voters wishing to receive a ballot by mail for the city/school election will need to complete an absentee ballot request form and return it to the Clay County Auditor's Office, 300 West 4th Street, Ste. 4, Spencer, IA, before 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18. In-person absentee voting was anticipated to start Oct. 13, at the Auditor's Office.
Absentee ballot request forms can be found on the Clay County website at https://claycounty.iowa.gov/. They may also be requested by calling the Auditor's Office at (712) 262-1569. Forms must include the date the request is signed. You may receive multiple absentee ballot request forms from political groups, candidates and other private organizations, but only ONE (1) absentee request form needs to be turned in to the Auditor's Office.
For more information about the 2021 city/school election, contact the Clay County Auditor's office at (712) 262-1569.
End of 2021 Water Year sees continued drought conditions
The end of September brought the 2021 Water Year to a close, and drought conditions have not improved significantly as the state moves into fall.
The "Water Year" is defined as the period between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, a period of time used because precipitation that falls after Oct. 1 tends to benefit the next growing season. The 2021 Water Year ended on Sept. 30, and Iowa's preliminary precipitation total for the 12-month period was 29.15 inches, or 6.53 inches below normal.
Most rain gauges in the state reported precipitation deficits for the water year, with some stations in north-central Iowa seeing deficits of 12 inches to 15 inches during the last 12 months. Only stations in extreme southeast Iowa recorded surplus precipitation. Current drought conditions in Iowa are still concerning, with 18 percent of the state rated in Severe Drought, and a total of 75 percent of the state in some form of dryness or drought.
Average streamflow was below average for much of the last 12 months, with some areas setting above-normal flow for short periods of time throughout the year. Soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels have been low in some parts of the state for much of the water year, with timely rainfall helping to avoid water shortages during times of concern.
NWI fishing report
East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 66 degrees last Thursday. Many anglers have had success with slip bobbers/spoons and vertical jigging and drop shot fishing. Many anglers have observed high catch rates with sorting needed to limit out on various fish.
Black crappie, good. Catch is picking up; crappie are moving to shallower water and been hanging out around pockets of vegetation. Bluegill, good. Bluegill are biting like crazy. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Pumpkinseed, good. Fun and easier to catch from most docks. Use a small hook, bobber and piece of worm.
Lost Island Lake: Bite has started to pick up with many anglers fishing off the southern stony point and eastern shore. Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Walleye, fair. Yellow bass, fair. Yellow perch, good. Good catch rate with some sorting needed.
Minnewashta Lake: Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines. Vertical jigging is improving. Black crappie, fair. A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair. Try using slip bobbers and finding weed lines.
Spirit Lake: The water temperature was 66 degrees last Thursday. Fish are moving to shallower areas. Use lead core and tadpole baits.
Black crappie, fair: Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Bluegill, fair. Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Walleye, good. Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk, but the day bite is improving. Many anglers have started to fish in shallower water with slip bobbers along weed edges. Yellow perch, good. Perch are moving to shallower water allowing for great catch with some sorting. Try mini jigs and minnows; bring plenty of minnows as smaller fish will strip you of your bait.
West Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 66 degrees last Thursday. Many anglers have been most successful with trolling, but jigging and casting has also been very good. Use lead core and tadpole baits. Offshore fishing for bass has been great.
Black crappie, good. Crappie have been very picky lately, but can be easily caught if you aren't afraid to switch things up. Can also be caught frequently while picking through other panfish or have been found around weed edges. Bluegill, good. Bluegill are biting like crazy with fish up to 10-inches seen. Try a shucks jigger and bobber fished in 10-15 feet of water. Jigging, casting and slip bobbers work well. Try trolling with twister tails and ripple shads or shucks jiggers with a bobber. Walleye, fair.
