03/17/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Summer rec program needs volunteers

The summer baseball and softball program in Hartley is need of coaches and umpires for the summer season. The rec department is also in need of a director.

See the ads on Page 3 for more details.

Clay County 4-H seeks Hall of Fame nomination

Clay County 4-H is seeking nominations for the 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honors 4-H volunteers, supporters and pioneers who have made a significant contribution to the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program.

Nominees could include individuals who practice community citizenship, exemplary leadership in their profession or community, and character qualities exemplified by evidence of the role of the 4-H program in their life and their continuing commitment to 4-H and youth development. Individuals could also be former 4-H members who have achieved notable accomplishments or successes in their chosen career or life goals and who continue to use those successes to be a mentor or role model.

"In Clay County, we truly benefit from the time and talents of over 400 volunteers every year who guide 4-H members in becoming productive and caring citizens, effective leaders and successful learners," said Isabel Dehrkoop, county Extension youth coordinator, in a news release.

Nominations must be received by May 2 in the form of a letter to the ISU Extension and Outreach Clay County office, 110 West 4th Street, Suite 100, Spencer, IA 51301 or emailed to [email protected]. No formal application is required.

For more information, contact Dehrkoop or Office Manager Michele Hogrefe at (712) 262-2264 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Accepted into ILCC agriculture program

Madison Otto, daughter of Jason and Sara Otto, of Ocheyedan, has been accepted into the Agriculture Production Technology program at Iowa Lakes Community College on the Emmetsburg campus for the fall 2022 semester. Otto is currently a senior at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School.

The program is a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree that focuses on the production sector of agriculture. With options to specialize in crops, swine or beef, students gain hands-on experience while learning the latest developments in agriculture technology at the Iowa Lakes farm outside of Emmetsburg.

On the college farm, specialized on-the-job training and simulations allow students to manage daily farm operations and learn various production methods to prepare for a career in farm management. Students also become acquainted with current agricultural technologies.

Study reveals impact of community colleges on economy

The Iowa Department of Education has released an economic impact report about the state's community colleges. The report by Emsi Burning Glass shows a $5.5 billion impact to Iowa's economy, including support of 87,149 jobs during the last year.

Iowa's community colleges provide lasting impact to students, taxpayers and society. According to the report, students see a return of $6.30 in higher future earnings for every dollar they invest in their education and have an average annual rate of return of 24.9 percent. For every dollar of public money invested in the community colleges, taxpayers receive $2.50 and an average annual rate of return of 6.2 percent.

The report also shows that society benefits from $277.9 million of public and private sector savings, receiving $8.60 in return for every dollar spent for as long as students remain active in the state workforce.

Community colleges in Iowa and their students support one out of every 23 jobs in the state. Disaggregated construction spending supports 352 jobs, student spending supports 3,936 jobs and alumni working in Iowa support 71,230 jobs.

"EMSI has provided the taxpayers of Iowa with some useful data by which everyone can gain a better understanding of the positive economic impact that Iowa's community colleges make within our state," said NCC President Dr. John Hartog in a news release. "The community colleges are doing good work, making the most of taxpayer investments. This is why Iowans smartly look to their community colleges for many of their educational needs and workforce solutions."

Community colleges also contribute to overall higher individual earnings. During FY20, students invested $626.2 million to attend Iowa's community colleges and, in return, earn a yearly income $7,900 higher than someone with only a high school diploma.

The report created by Emsi Burning Glass used data from FY 2019-20 reports from community colleges, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, Emsi Burning Glass's Multi-Regional Social Accounting Matrix model, and various studies and surveys.

Pate urges voters to respond quickly to change-of-address notices

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate recently announced the annual National Change of Address process to update and maintain Iowa's voter registration records is underway. Notices to 123,634 registered voters were sent recently to Iowans who have filed a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service.

Voters that receive these cards in the mail should indicate if the new address is incorrect and quickly return the card to the county auditor's office.

"This is an important yearly procedure to help ensure Iowa's voter rolls are as accurate and up-to-date as possible," Pate said in a news release. "All 99 counties undergo this process. We're ensuring Iowans who have moved within their county, or elsewhere in the state have the accurate information on file in Iowa's voter registration database. This will help them participate in the 2022 elections."

The mailing is being conducted at the direction of Pate to ensure full compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, which requires periodic contact with voters to ensure the most accurate information is on file.

Data indicates 59,718 registered voters moved within their county during the past year. 63,916 moved outside their county, but still within the State of Iowa.

For additional information, please contact your county auditor's office.

NWI fishing report

The walleye season for the Iowa Great Lake chain is closed. The season opens back up May 7.

Most area lakes have 14-plus inches of ice. Ice conditions are relatively safe in most areas; access around many lakes has diminished. Ice fishing season may not be around for much longer; the extended forecast calls for a week filled with warmer temperatures, which will significantly diminish ice throughout the area.

East Okoboji Lake: Most of the lake is fully iced with an average of 14-plus inches of ice allowing for safe ATV traffic in most areas. Be cautious of open holes, seams and access points. Panfishing has been good out from the Ritz; some sorting is needed. Try heavy tungsten jigs, plastics and baits.

Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Yellow bass, good. With a little movement on the basin, you should be able find a decent bite and also catch a few other species.

Ingham Lake: Ice conditions vary heavily around the lake; most areas have 12 inches. There is a large open hole where the lake aeration unit had been running this winter.

Lost Island Lake: Ice conditions vary with an average of around 12 inches. Caution – the aeration system is currently in operation on the east side of the lake out from the nature center. This creates a large open hole in the ice.

Yellow perch, fair. Lots of sorting may be needed.

Scharnberg Pond: Trout were stocked this winter; fish should be biting well. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Brook trout, good. Rainbow trout, good. Trout are biting on a variety of different baits. Try a worm or lure that imitates a minnow.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Ice thickness is around 12 inches. The lake has a large open hole along the eastern side; the eastern access is very diminished.

Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: Ice thickness is 14-plus inches in most places. There is a large open hole on the southwest side due to strong winds and a few days of warmer temperatures. The Marble Beach access is in very poor condition due to ice heaving along the shoreline.

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, slow. Season is closed until May 7th. Yellow perch, fair.

West Okoboji Lake: Ice thickness is 14-plus inches in most places; there still are a handful of seams usually running from points. Know where trouble areas are before you venture on or off the ice. Panfishing has slowed a bit; with a little movement on the north end near Triboji, Emerson and Smiths Bay you may be able to catch a good amount of fish. Try heavy tungsten jigs, plastics or baits.

Black crappie, fair. Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Bluegill, fair. Many anglers have been successful off Triboji on the north end of the lake. Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait.

Extremely dry February leads to drought spread

Last month was the sixth-driest February on record for Iowa, and the lack of precipitation resulted in the expansion of drought conditions across the state, according to the latest Iowa DNR Water Summary Update.

Precipitation for the month averaged only 0.27 inches, almost an inch below normal. Drought conditions expanded during the month, with more than 90 percent of Iowa in some form of dryness or drought at the end of February. Areas of concern for shallow groundwater supplies exist in parts of northwest Iowa.

"Precipitation totals in February were disappointing, so instead of steady or improving conditions, we saw expansion of drought conditions in the state," said Tim Hall, DNR's coordinator of hydrology resources, in a news release. "However, the first week of March saw over twice the amount of rain as the entire month of February, so that is encouraging. Hopefully the normal rains of March and April and May will improve conditions as we head into the growing season."

Streamflow levels are also below normal in many locations across the southern half of the state.

Rep. Megan Jones files for re-election to the Iowa House

Rep. Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) last week filed her paperwork with the secretary of state for her re-election bid for the Iowa House. Currently, Jones represents House District 2. Under the newly confirmed legislative maps, Jones will run for re-election in House District 6 this year.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to represent northwest Iowa in the State House," Jones said in a news release. "We've been able to accomplish so much in this session alone – including tax relief for every Iowan – but there's still so much to be done. I look forward to wrapping up this session strong and heading back to my district to hear from constituents about what else we can do at the Capitol to cut red tape and make their lives easier."

Jones lives in rural Sioux Rapids with her husband, Will, and their four children. They run Will's family farm raising corn and soybeans and running a cow-calf operation.

House District 6 includes much of Clay and Buena Vista counties.

Jones will be seeking her sixth term in the Iowa House. Jones is the Chair of the Administrative Rules Review committee, and also serves on the Ways and Means, Judiciary, and State Government committees.

Evans files for election to the Iowa Senate

Former Alta-Aurelia and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Superintendent, Republican Lynn Evans filed his paperwork with the secretary of state for his election bid for the Iowa Senate. Under the newly confirmed legislative maps, Evans will run for election in Iowa Senate, District 3, which includes the counties of Cherokee, Buena Vista, O'Brien, Osceola, and parts of Clay County.

"During my career I have had the opportunity to lead school districts and serve communities in O'Brien, Osceola, Buena Vista and Cherokee county," Evans said in a news release. "I care deeply for these communities and the future of our state. As a long time resident and native of Northwest Iowa, I share the values and priorities of these communities. It would be an honor to serve as their voice in Des Moines."

Evans is a native of Aurelia and a graduate of Aurelia High School. He and his wife, Midge, reside in Aurelia.

Some of Evans' priorities are focusing on growing the state's rural economy, improving the state's educational system, increasing access to mental health services and protecting Iowans' civil liberties.

Iowa's high school grad rate is 90.2 percent

Iowa's high school graduation rate continues to show long-term progress, although the state experienced a decrease for the graduating class of 2021, according to figures released this week by the Iowa Department of Education.

State data show 90.2 percent of students in Iowa's Class of 2021 graduated within four years, down from 91.8 percent for the Class of 2020. Since 2011, Iowa's four-year graduation rate climbed 1.9 percentage points overall, with large long-term gains in nearly every student demographic subgroup. For example, graduation rates for students from low-socioeconomic status (SES) households have increased by 4.2 percentage points between 2011 and 2021.

Iowa received nearly $775 million through a third round of federal relief funding for PK-12 schools to address a variety of pandemic-related expenses and strategies. At least 20 percent of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds available to school districts must be used to address disruptions to learning caused by the pandemic. Districts have until Sept. 30, 2024, to expend the funds.

Iowa graduation rates are calculated with a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Unique student identification numbers allow school districts to account for all ninth-grade students as they move through high school. At the state level, the method helps determine when a student graduates, even if the student has switched districts during high school.

Iowa's five-year graduation rate – which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school – was 93.5 percent for the Class of 2020, down slightly from 93.8 percent for the Class of 2019.

Iowa's annual dropout rate reflects the percent of students in grades 9-12 who drop out of school during a single year. The annual dropout rate was 2.85 percent for the 2020-21 school year. The state's 2020-21 dropout rate represents 4,332 students in grades 9 through 12