11/30/23: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

NCC staff members recognized for contributions

Community Colleges for Iowa has chosen Karla Harris and Alicia Van Horsen, staff members at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, as recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards.

The recognition highlights recipients' significant contributions to education across Iowa's 15 community colleges. The awards ceremony will take place at the inaugural Community Colleges Convention and Tradeshow on Nov. 29 at the Hilton Des Moines, honoring exceptional service and leadership in the academic community.

"The remarkable achievements of Iowa's community colleges are a direct result of the commitment and dedication of professionals like Harris and Van Horsen," said Community Colleges of Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields, in a news release. "Their efforts not only benefit their immediate students and colleagues but also serve as an inspiration across our statewide network."

Harris, an Instructor of Math at NCC, was recognized as "A Beacon of Educational Excellence." Starting in NCC's Academic Center, Harris's journey to becoming a respected math instructor is marked by her use of unique teaching strategies. Her work has been instrumental in helping students overcome challenges in math, particularly those in trade programs.

Harris' involvement in the Alternative High School further demonstrates her commitment to student progress and success, truly reflecting NCC's educational values.

Van Horsen was recognized as "The Architect of Student Success," As Coordinator-Learning Management System and Digital Content, her expertise keeps students connected, faculty supported and staff serving students. She plays a pivotal role in creating efficient processes, maintaining compliance and leading assessment initiatives.

"Karla and Alicia are true examples of how dedication in education can positively affect both individuals and the broader community," said NCC Executive Dean of Student & Academic Services Leah Murphy. "They have both played a key role in shaping an environment conducive to learning and growth."

NWI fishing report

East Okoboji Lake: Black crappie, fair. Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill, fair. Most fish have moved deeper; anglers can find success fishing from docks or shore. Use a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye, fair. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting will likely be needed.

Ingham Lake: Walleye, fair. Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake: Black crappie, fair. Walleye, fair. Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.

Minnewashta Lake: Black crappie, fair. Slowly troll over vegetation with minnows and plastics. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.

Scharnberg Pond: Rainbow trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Black bullhead, good. Walleye, fair. Expect the walleye bite to improve with falling water temperatures.

Spirit Lake: Wader and shoreline fishing have been good. Water levels are 9 inches below crest. Black crappie, good. Use minnows and plastics. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill, good. Fishing is good from docks; use a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye, good. Minnows work well. Wader fishing off shore has been good. Yellow perch, good. Good numbers can be found; may need to sort for size.

West Okoboji Lake: The current water level is four inches below crest. Bass and crappie bite are improving. Wader fishing in the evening for walleyes has been good.

Black crappie, fair. Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill, good. Use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed, good. Walleye, good: Minnows and plastics work well. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting may be needed.

Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Water temperatures are starting to reach freezing in some areas. Below freezing temperatures forecast at night; expect many areas to start to freeze up. Angling for multiple species of fish in the Iowa Great Lakes has been good. Shoreline wader fishing has been good. Some courtesy docks are still in place.

Hunters can donate venison

The Iowa DNR, the Food Bank of Iowa and 34 meat lockers are participating in the Help Us Stop Hunger program for 2023. Hunters are encouraged to contact a participating locker before they harvest a deer to see if the locker has any additional drop off instructions.

Hunters may also sign up as a deer donor with the Iowa Deer Exchange at http://www.iowadnr.gov/deer then scroll down to Iowa's Deer Exchange Program link. There, donors can provide their information on what they are willing to donate. The database creates a map and table with information deer donors and deer recipients can use to get connected.

There are currently 23 hunters registered who are willing to donate deer, and 287 registered recipients wanting venison. Hunters and recipients who had previously registered for the Deer Exchange Program should review their information to make sure it is still accurate and active.

There is no cost to participate. It is illegal to sell wild fish and game in Iowa.

Becky Stoltz earns IASB award

The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) presented the 2022-23 Annual Board Awards on Nov. 16 during the IASB Annual Convention in Des Moines. The awards are given each year to board members, board teams and superintendents/AEA chief administrators/community college presidents who are committed to improving their knowledge and skills by attending IASB-Ied learning events.

Individual Achievement Award certificates were presented to 218 board members from 92 PK-12 school boards, four area education agency boards and one community college board. Recipients completed a minimum of 15 hours of learning in one year. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Board Member Becky Stoltz, of Hartley, was among the recipients.Team Achievement Award plaques were presented to 30 school boards who had a majority of board members earn the Individual Achievement Award.

The Award of Honor certificates were presented to 29 superintendents and one AEA chief administrator who completed a minimum of 15 hours of learning in one year; and had at least two individual board members in the district, AEA or community college who earned Individual Achievement Awards.