06/23/22: Area Happenings & Accoomplishments

UI spring semester dean's list announced

More than 4,000 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the dean's list for the 2022 spring semester. Dean's list status was earned by 714 first year undergraduates during the 2022 spring semester at Iowa, 1,268 second year students, 1,559 third year students and 2,045 fourth year students.

Area students named to the UI dean's list are identified with their major and year at Iowa.

Everly: Savanna Handy, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Human Physiology, third year.

Royal: Grace Berberich, College of Nursing, Nursing, third year.

Sanborn: Bennett Haack, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pre-Dentistry, second year.

Graduates from University of Sioux Falls

Peyton Petersen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiologic Technology from the University of Sioux Falls. Petersen and over 400 students were celebrated for graduation in the spring commencement ceremony.

A 2018 graduate of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School, he is the son of Mark and Ann Petersen, of Sanborn.

Foundation awards grants to 3 Hartley groups

The O'Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling $109,083 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout O'Brien County.

The grants were presented June 16 in Primghar. Since the first grants were made in 2006, over $1.5 million has been awarded in support of local projects.

"Our county has so many quality-of-life improvements happening, and we are proud to support these wonderful nonprofits and enhancement projects," said Charlene Elyea, OBCCF Advisory Chair, in a news release.

Three Hartley applicants received a total of $15,000 in funding. The Hartley Fire Department received $7,500 for bunker gear replacement; the Hartley Trail Committee was awarded $5,000 for the recreational trail; and Hartley Emergency Ambulance Rescue Team received $2,500 for a first responder AED.

Other grant recipients were: Archer Fire Department, Jaws of Life, $10,000; City of Calumet, Ditching the Shag, $10,000; City of Primghar, shelter house playground equipment, $10,000; Cornerstone Senior Communities, indoor spa sand filter and auxiliary pool heater, $7,430; Foster Grandparent Program, volunteer service support, $500; Noah's Ark Daycare, daycare carpet, $10,000; O'Brien County Cemetery Preservation, portable power, $2,286; and O'Brien County Community Foundation, philanthropic promotion, $3,117.

Also, Primghar Ambulance, mechanical CPR replacement, $8,159; Sanborn Daycare Association, emergency exit ramp project, $2,650; Sanborn Fire & Rescue, battery-operated combi rescue tool, $7,500; Senior Companion Program, volunteer service support, $500; Sheldon Police, K9 ballistic armor, $5,366; Sutherland City Park Board, park updates, $10,000; Sutherland Fire and Ambulance, ice rescue suits, $2,800; and Wonderland Theater, concession stand renovation, $3,775.

The OBCCF was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local advisory board comprised of representatives from each of the communities in O'Brien County: Archer, Calumet, Hartley, Paullina, Primghar, Sanborn, Sheldon and Sutherland, as well as one county-at-large member.

The mission of the O'Brien County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by encouraging permanent charitable giving to meet the needs of present and future generations. OBCCF welcomes gifts of any size to the endowment to help fund O'Brien County projects.

Enter blue ribbon produce at the 2022 Clay County Fair

Gardeners are encouraged to enter their blue ribbon best in the Fields and Gardens Department at the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 10-18.

One of the fair's original competitive departments, Fields and Gardens will yet again have another great year of showing.

The Fields and Gardens Department will again feature the Largest Pumpkin Contest, where producers can enter the largest weighing pumpkin from their patch and see who will win the title. Along with this contest, there is also the Best Corn Contest where an exhibitor can bring in their best 10 ears of corn to be judged.

Although vegetables are a large portion of the Fields and Gardens Department, there are fruit classes as well. The apple division has a best tray contest where the exhibitor with the best five apples can win the prize. Other fruit categories are plums, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and watermelons.

Entries are not limited to just fruits and vegetables. There are categories focused on people's creative skills through the garden scarecrow and yard people contest. This contest is open for all ages and any groups that would like to participate. Other contests within the department not focused around produce are birdhouse gourds and decorative corn with husks.

Entries are open to anyone from any county or state. Check out the exhibitor handbook online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in-person by Aug. 22.

For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Fields and Gardens Building on Wednesday, Sept. 7 (5 p.m.-8 p.m.) and Thursday, Sept. 8 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) with judging scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9.

NWI companies team with Pollution Prevention Intern Program

Eight Iowa businesses have teamed with the Iowa DNR's Pollution Prevention (P2) Intern Program this summer to increase the efficiency of their operations and reduce associated costs.

Upper-level engineering students work on-site at their assigned company to conduct in-depth assessments, analyze data, research pollution prevention strategies and provide calculated recommendations. Companies utilize the data to make informed decisions and drive implementations that will help meet their environmental performance goals.

Since 2001, more than 195 Iowa companies, hospitals, universities and government agencies have participated in this innovative program, accumulating more than $111.8 million in savings as a result of using resources more efficiently and improving environmental performance.

Environmental benefits achieved include the reduction of: 5.7 billion gallons of water; 258,720 tons of solid waste; 10,016 tons of hazardous waste; 504.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity; and 22.2 million therms of energy.

Companies participating in the 2022 P2 Intern Program include (listed alphabetically by town): Monogram Quality Foods, of Denison; Dee Zee, Inc. of Des Moines; Wells Enterprises, Inc., of LeMars; JBS USA, LLC, of Marshalltown; HNI Corporation, of Muscatine; JBS Swift Pork, of Ottumwa; Polaris Industries – Indian Motorcycle, of Spirit Lake; and Tyson Foods Inc. - Hillshire Brands, of Storm Lake.

Funding for the P2 Intern Program includes federal grants, portions of solid waste tonnage fees and cost share contributed by the host companies.

Pollution Prevention Services also provides confidential, non-regulatory, environmental technical assistance in the form of assessments, development assistance for Environmental Management Systems, workshops, and access to an electronic library of technical resources. These services are offered at no cost to help companies reduce expenses through source-reduction strategies to improve process efficiency and reduce or eliminate waste.

NWI fishing report

Water temperatures will be on the rise quickly due to recent high temperatures. Most area lake temperatures are in the 70s. Water clarity is fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfishing has been great on most lakes closer to shore and along weed lines.

East Okoboji Lake: Lake temperature was in the upper 60s last Thursday. The water level was 6 inches over crest. There has been a fairly good crappie and bluegill bite recently. Fish are moving shallower, making for great shoreline fishing. Trolling has been working very well. Find crappie and yellow bass in 10-16 feet of water.

Black crappie, good. Bluegill, good. Walleye, fair. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow bass, good.

Lost Island Lake: Many anglers have been successful; some sorting may be needed depending on which species you are targeting. Black crappie, good. Walleye, fair. Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow perch, fair.

Minnewashta Lake: Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed.

Black crappie, good. Bluegill, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): The late afternoon bite has been good. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day.

Walleye, fair. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.

Spirit Lake: Water temperature was in the low 70s last Thursday. The lake is 7 inches below crest. The walleye season is open.

Black bullhead, good. Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Black crappie, fair. Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill, fair. Walleye, fair. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow perch, fair.

West Okoboji Lake: Water temperature was in the upper 60s last Thursday. The water level is six inches over crest. The panfish bite has been good around docks and hoists; many species of fish are starting to move in shallower. The walleye season is open.

Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Largemouth bass, fair. Smallmouth bass, fair. Use surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye, fair. Try fishing off points by trolling crank baits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset.

Picture a blue ribbon at the 2022 Clay County Fair

Now is a perfect time to begin sorting through all of the photos you have taken and enter them in one of the many photography competitions at the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 10-18.

Photographers may enter up to 12 photographs with one entry per class. Divisions include color photographs or black and white photographs of people, places, landscape, things, plants or animals/insects world.

A separate division for creative photography allows photographers to use different techniques to alter the photograph, including computer manipulation, multi-images into one photo, camera filters and trick lenses. A separate class, other than above, is available for people who have altered an image other than the three categories.

Exhibitors entering sponsored divisions have the opportunity to win increased cash prizes. All divisions include a youth class for those under age 18 and an adult class.

The Photography Department is excited to have eight new sponsored special theme classes, including "Batter Up," a sports division sponsored by the Jim Shriner Family, which is new for the 2022 Fair.

Other sponsored divisions include: "A Tree" (objects division sponsored by Spencer Truck Line); "Ripples" (water division sponsored by VW Docks of Spirit Lake); "Texture" (concepts division sponsored by Campbell, Higgins, and Mummert, P.C.); "Capturing Summer Fun" (photojournalism division sponsored by the Spencer Daily Reporter); "Barns" (Beautiful Iowa division sponsored by Clay Mutual Insurance); "Helping the Land" (conservation division sponsored by Clay County Soil Conservation Service); and "Jumping" (action division sponsored by Fox, Boyd, Sailer, & Shiver Dental Center).

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Aug. 22. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Photography Center on Sept. 2 (Noon-7 p.m.) and Sept. 3 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.).

Heetland is Roadman Scholar

Morningside University has named 239 students as Roadman Scholars in recognition of high academic distinction for the 2021-22 academic year.

Roadman Scholars must be full-time students who have completed at least 45 credits of college work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.76 or above. The award is named in honor of Earl Roadman, who was president of Morningside from 1936 to 1956.

Thomas R. Heetland, of Hartley, was named a Roadman Scholar.

Keep Iowa Beautiful announces photo contest

Keep Iowa Beautiful recently announced the 13th Annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Photography Contest. Iowans have the next six months to grab their cameras, or phones, and enter one or all of the five categories.

Again this year, the contest will feature over $2,000 in cash awards.

The two-phase contest begins now with entry deadline on Dec. 17, 2022. Each of the five categories will be awarded first place ($100), second place ($75), and third place ($50).

Jan. 15-29, 2023, the five first-place winners will be featured on Keep Iowa Beautiful social media for voting and selecting the Public Favorite Photo. The winner will receive an additional $100. The Robert D. Ray Best of Show Awards, determined by a distinguished panel, will also be announced at that time. The Robert D. Ray Best of Show award amounts are first place ($500), second place ($250) and third place ($100).

The five categories are: Iowa Landscape, Iowa Water, Iowa Cities, Iowans In Action and Iowa Wildlife.

A $5 fee is required for each photo entered. Contest rules and entry guidelines are on KIB's website: http://www.keepiowabeautiful.com/photograph-contest/.

Iowa pheasant hunters bagged 375,000 roosters in 2021

Survey results confirmed what Iowa pheasant hunters already knew – pheasant hunting last fall was really good.

In fact, it was the best in more than a decade. Iowa hunters bagged an estimated 375,000 roosters in 2021, the most since 2008.

"Our small game survey reflected the general reports I received during the season that the northern two-thirds of the state had really good pheasant hunting," said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa DNR, in a news release. "We had a slight increase in the number of hunters, but a 25 percent increase in the harvest, which tells me that the birds were there and hunters did really well."

And based on the annual pheasant-nesting outlook, the 2022 season could produce similar results.

"Our pheasant population typically shows increases following mild winters with springs that are dryer and warmer than normal," Bogenschutz said. "This year, the weather model is predicting pheasant populations to be stable to slightly increasing for the fall 2022 season, with some regional fluctuations."

Bogenschutz expects quail and pheasant numbers in southern Iowa to rebound somewhat after a string of bad winters, ice and spring floods, but the best pheasant densities will again be in the northern and western regions, he said.

While the nesting outlook weather model offers a population prediction, the annual August roadside survey provides an actual count of pheasants, quail, rabbits and partridge. Results from the annual August roadside survey will be posted online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey around Sept. 15.

Landowners interested in improving pheasant hunting on their land are encouraged to reach out to staff with the Iowa DNR's private lands program at http://www.iowadnr.gov/crp or by going to their local Farm Service Agency office to sign up for continuous CRP.

Some improvement in drought conditions despite below normal May rainfall

Iowa's precipitation in May was 3.46 inches, 1.38 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Iowa DNR Water Summary Update.

While there was some improvement in drought conditions, a small area of severe drought remains in and around Woodbury County. Soil moisture, streamflow and groundwater conditions showed some improvement as well, but also reflected the dry conditions existing in northwest Iowa.

"Rainfall in Iowa for May should have been close to five inches, but we only ended up with 3.5 inches. Some improvement to drought conditions were seen, but parts of northwest Iowa are still dry," said Tim Hall, DNR's coordinator of hydrology resources, in a news release. "While the state has received nearly normal rainfall for the year so far, northwest Iowa is running 2.3 inches behind for 2022, which is leading to concern as we enter the months of high water use."

• Crop report

Most of the state saw little rainfall and above average temperatures resulting in 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 19, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included cutting hay and spraying corn and soybeans.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 19 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Corn condition rating was 83 percent good-to-excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans have emerged, six days behind last year but three days ahead of average. Iowa's soybean condition rating was 80 percent good to excellent. Sixty-two percent of the oat crop has headed, three days behind last year. Iowa's oat condition remained at 82 percent good-to-excellent.

Eighty-one percent of the state's first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, one week behind the previous year and four days behind average. Some producers were working on their second cutting. All hay condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent. High temperatures resulted in some stress for livestock.