11/17/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Players, cheerleaders earn district academic honors

Football players and cheerleaders from Class A District 1 schools were recognized for their academic accomplishments by being named Academic All-District.

H-M-S players included on the list are seniors Lance Berends, Kooper Ebel, Ethan Diehm, Landen Elwood, Travis Kamradt, Spencer McCarter, Tyson Tessum and Trenton Vollink. Juniors recognized are Adam Schierholz and Ethan Wiersma.

Two H-M-S cheerleaders also qualified for inclusion on the Academic All-District list. They are juniors Delaney Murphy and Emma Vollink.

October was 15th-driest on record

The month of October ended as the 15th-driest on record with a deficit of 1.80 inches of rainfall, according to the latest water summary report released by the Iowa DNR.

This marks the seventh month in a row of below-normal rainfall for the state. A wet weekend in early November helped alleviate some drought, but most of the state is still designated as abnormally dry or in some form of drought. Northwest Iowa remains the driest and most challenging part of the state for water resources in 2022.

Nine of the 10 months this year have been below normal for rainfall, with only limited improvement seen in the last week. The report noted wetter conditions are needed to help replenish soil moisture, shallow groundwater and surface water as we head into the winter months.

Medicare enrollment help available in O'Brien County

Senior Health Insurance Information Program/Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers help Medicare recipients understand their options. SHIIP/SMP is a department of the State of Iowa Insurance Division. Professional staff provides the training required for initial certification, renewal of certification and support for volunteers.

In O'Brien County, Mike Otto has been a SHIIP/SMP volunteer since 2006. He was joined by Carol Brinkert five years ago. Mary Helfter and Deb Schueller joined the team this summer. MercyOne Primghar Family Practice Clinic is the SHIIP/SMP sponsor in O'Brien County. The office is in the clinic.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period of Oct. 15-Dec. 7 is volunteers' busiest time of the year. All Medicare recipients can change their Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment. The volunteers help people find and enroll in the most cost-effective plans. Throughout the year they counsel people who are eligible for Medicare, helping them sort through their options.

Assistance is available by appointment for in-person, Zoom and phone counseling. Phone (712) 957-5579. Leave a message with your name and phone number. A SHIIP/SMP volunteer will phone you to schedule your appointment. If you live outside of O'Brien County, phone (800) 351-4664 to inquire about your local SHIIP/SMP office.

Grant enhances EMS training at NCC

Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon has strengthened its Emergency Medical Service program training through a grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation.

The $26,000 grant helped pay for the purchase of equipment to be used in the college's simulation ambulance and the new EMS lab located in Building H on campus. Included in the equipment are a power cot, stair chair, simulated defibrillator, Lucas 2, jump bags, an apartment set and smart-manikins.

Kevin Miller, coordinator of emergency services at NCC, said the new equipment will be used by students for hands-on skill practice and clinical simulation for the Emergency Medical Technician Program. The manikins and dedicated lab space which can be set up like a patient's home will allow students a more realistic experience when arriving on a scene.

The equipment will be housed in the soon-to-be completed $9 million expansion/remodel of the healthcare building.