09/01/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Exhibitors shear to please judges at Iowa State Fair

Alex Moser, of Larchwood, won first place in the Senior Division of the Sheep Shearing Contest judged on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the 2022 Iowa State Fair. Moser also won Best Pen.

David Abel, of Royal, placed first in best pen, and second in shearing and fastest time in the Golden Age Division. He was also third in best pen and fifth in shearing in the Senior Division.

Nolan Abel, of Linn Grove, had the fastest time in the Senior Division and placed second in shearing and best pen.

Summer graduates at NCC

Ninety-four students graduated from Northwest Iowa Community College on Friday, July 22, during commencement ceremonies held in the Northwest Iowa Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center on NCC’s campus in Sheldon.

The following area students received diplomas and degrees.

Everly: Alyssa R. Zylstra, Associate of Arts Degree.

Sanborn: Chase J. Siebrecht, High School Equivalency Diploma; Karter J. Van Meeteren, Powerline Diploma.

NCC ranks No. 2 in national report

Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon was ranked among the Top 5 in Best Community Colleges in the nation, according to a new report published by the personal finance website WalletHub.

NCC ranks second in the nation for Best Overall Community College and for Career Outcomes in WalletHub’s “2022 Best & Worst Community Colleges the Nation” report.

To determine where students can receive the best education at the lowest price, WalletHub.com compared more than 650 community colleges across 19 key indicators of cost and quality. They evaluated schools based on three key dimensions: cost and financing, education outcomes and career outcomes.

This is the second straight year NCC has done well on the national rankings by WalletHub.com. Last year NCC ranked third for Career Outcomes and 12th for Best Overall Community College.

Business ideas sought for grant competition

Economic development organizations in northwest Iowa are teaming up to offer $10,000 in prize money for The BIG Challenge grant competition.

The BIG Challenge encourages entrepreneurs to Build, Innovate, and Grow their business in northwest Iowa. The contest gives entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to submit their dreams to start or expand a business.

Starting Sept. 5 and continuing through Oct. 2, entrepreneurs in Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties can visit http://www.iawestcoast.com and click on “The BIG Challenge” to submit their business or startup ideas.

Voting on submitted ideas will take place Oct. 5-14. During that time, the entrepreneurs will recruit others to vote for their entry online. The Top 3 vote getters will advance to a regional pitch-off competition, along with two additional entrants chosen by a selection committee. Each finalist will have access to the University of Northern Iowa’s Business Concierge Services, as well as receive personalized coaching from the Small Business Development Center and UNI’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation.

The regional contest will be held Nov. 17, at Design West in Sioux City. Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas, with first place receiving $5,000, second place receiving $3,000 and third place receiving $2,000 to grow their business.

The BIG Challenge is sponsored and organized by Iowa’s West Coast Initiative, Northwest Iowa Developers and Siouxland Economic Development Corporation, which includes economic development organizations in Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties. To learn about the contest rules or to enter, please visit http://www.iawestcoast.com and click on “The BIG Challenge.”

Regular hours at Royal library

Hours at the Royal Public Library are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3-5 p.m .; and Tuesday and Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Hope Lutheran food pantry hours

Current hours for the food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly are Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. Everyone is allowed to come in and pick out their food, but masks are required.

Al Anon meetings

Al Anon meetings are held at the following locations each week:

Wednesday, 8 p.m., 511 Southmoor, Spencer; Thursday, 8 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal; Sunday, 7 p.m., Sanford Medical Center, 118 N 7th Ave., Sheldon.

All are welcome to attend.

2022 CCF continues its mission of ag ed

Fairgoers can expect lots of opportunities to learn more about one of Iowa’s largest industries – agriculture – at the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 10-18.

One of the fair’s most popular attractions is Grandpa’s Barn. Fairgoers can see baby animals, visit the crop plots, and “drive” tractor cab simulators presented by Clay County Farm Bureau.

The AgCiting field trip program, along with the SciCiting field trip program, are staples of ag education at the fair. Every year elementary students from local schools get the opportunity to visit the fair and learn how the ag industry impacts and improves their daily lives. The two field trip programs are coordinated by ISU Extension Clay County.

Returning to the fair this year is the Awesome Ag Magic Show, which focuses on how agriculture directly impacts our daily lives. While using his incredible talents in magic, storytelling, and balloons to help get his message across in a fun and entertaining way, Mike Klee will delight and amaze audiences and leave them wanting to learn more.

FFA chapters from Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska will have the opportunity to participate in a day of leadership opportunities and a college fair at the first-ever FFA Day on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Sponsored by Summit Carbon Solutions, FFA Day will feature a college fair, a keynote speaker, and a leadership workshop. All three events are free (including gate admission) for the FFA chapter members and their advisors.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association brings Iowa Corn Day on Thursday, Sept. 15 with exhibits and presentations in Central Park showcasing the importance of corn in Iowa and beyond. Thursday is also Farmer Appreciation Day sponsored by CFE. Friday, Sept. 16 is Iowa Dairy Day sponsored by Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, where fairgoers will learn about the importance of the dairy industry in Iowa through special activities and displays in Central Park.

New to the 2022 Fair is the Fair to Fork Market. Fairgoers will be able to enjoy a farmer’s market experience and learn more about locally produced food. Located in the former Art Barn south of the Outdoor Arena, the Fair to Fork Market will feature vendors selling fresh produce and other locally-produced food items, as well as educational exhibits from the Iowa Food & Family Project. Vendors in the market will switch out daily.

Also new at the 2022 Fair is the Dairy Experience sponsored by Farmer’s Business Network. Located in Cattle Barn #3, fairgoers can watch milking demonstrations, butter churning, ice cream making, and view dairy cattle all nine days of the fair.

NWI fishing report

Most area lake temperatures are in the mid to low 70s. This week’s forecast calls for continued temperatures in the 70s-80s. Bass and panfishing have been a bit slower on most lakes. Try fishing along weed lines in 15-plus feet of water. Most fish have been caught out in deeper water as temperatures have increased.

East Okoboji Lake: Lake temperature was in the mid-70s last week. The water level is at crest. Fish are out deeper during warm water temperatures. Trolling has been working very well. Find crappie and yellow bass in 12-17 feet of water. Try fishing weed lines where there is new vegetation growth.

Black crappie, good. Best bite is in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines. 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: Fishing/trolling is getting more difficult as aquatic vegetation reaches the surface in many places. There has been a decent-sized algae bloom lately.

Black crappie, fair. Walleye, slow. 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 have been good; some sorting may be needed. Black crappie, good. Bluegill, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): The late afternoon bite has been fair. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day. Vegetation growth and a large algae bloom are making fishing more difficult in many areas. Many large schools of young of the year bullhead are swimming around the lake.

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

Spirit Lake: Water temperature was in the low 70s last Thursday. The lake level is 2 inches below crest. The walleye season is open. Most species are out deeper in 17-plus feet of water.

Black bullhead, fair. Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Black crappie, fair. Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill, fair. Walleye, fair. Use spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps; try to find weed lines. Yellow perch, good. Many perch can be caught, you may need to sort for size.

West Okoboji Lake: Water temperature was in the lower 70s last week. The water level is at crest. Most fish are out deeper in 15-plus feet of water. Rocky points and areas with new vegetation growth have seen the most success. Black crappie, good. Use crankbaits or shad raps.

Bluegill, good. Try small shad raps. Largemouth bass, fair. Smallmouth bass, fair. Try fishing off points with surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye, fair: Try fishing off points by trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Some fish have been caught while trolling for crappie.

ILCC flying program ranked No. 1

The Aviation and Airport Management program at Iowa Lakes Community College earned top national rankings. Flying Magazine has recently ranked Iowa Lakes Community College as the nation’s leading community college aviation program and third among all college-based aviation programs in the United States.

The Aviation and Airport Management program has been offered at Iowa Lakes for more than 40 years, with significant growth and expansion over the past three years. The magazine ranked college aviation programs based on five categories: industry partners, value, fleet, campus life, and facilities/location. Iowa Lakes scored 41 out of 50.

With the demand for pilots on the rise, there is a considerable need for new pilots to enter the workforce each year. Iowa Lakes not only offers an Associate in Applied Science degree but also the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licenses and ratings and the industry connections needed for placement in a fulfilling career.

According to Flying Magazine, Iowa Lakes offers a solid aviation education and is perfect for students interested in a smaller school with personalized instruction.

Excellent pheasant hunting predicted for most of Iowa

Results of Iowa’s 2022 pheasant population survey are in and the results were nearly identical to that of 2021, when hunters harvested the highest number of roosters in more than a decade.

The annual August roadside survey found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be slightly under 20 birds per 30-mile route.

Within the survey, the northwest, west central and north-central regions again had the highest counts within the state, followed by the northeast and central regions. The full report is available at http://www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey.

“If hunters enjoyed last year, they should enjoy this year. Pheasant hunting will again be good for most of the state, with the best hunting being north of Hwy. 30,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa DNR, in a news release.

Based on the results of the August roadside survey, Iowa hunters can expect to harvest 300,000 to 400,000 roosters this year, which is similar to last year, when the harvest was the highest in more than a decade.

An estimated 63,000 hunters participated in 2021, a slight increase over 2020.

While the pheasant count varied by region, the quail count was more consistent; and this year, it was consistently higher across southern Iowa’s quail range.

Iowa’s partridge population was unchanged from last year, with the better numbers coming from the northcentral region. Iowa’s rabbit population was also unchanged from last year with the better population in the south-central region, but good numbers across the state.

The annual August roadside survey has been collecting data on Iowa’s upland game populations since 1962. Hunters have the opportunity to hunt these species on additional acres of private land enrolled into the popular Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP).

Enrollment in the program is at an all-time high of nearly 32,000 acres. The IHAP allows hunters access to the portion of the property covered by the agreement, from Sept. 1 to May 31. Conservation officers will provide assistance, and enforcement, if needed.

• Youth pheasant season is Oct. 22-23

• Pheasant season is Oct. 29-Jan. 10, 2023

• Quail season is Oct. 29-Jan. 31, 2023

• Rabbit season is Sept. 3-Feb. 28, 2023

• Partridge season is Oct. 8-Jan. 31, 2023