02/29/24: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Over 130 lives impacted by blood donors

Forty-five units of blood were collected during the Hartley community drive held on Feb. 21. According to LifeServe Blood Center, those blood donations will save and potentially sustain the lives of 135 people in need.

LifeServe Blood Center recognizes local donors that achieved milestone donations at this blood drive: Randall Kramer, 10 gallons; Brian Rons, 6 gallons; Ashley Tessum, 3 gallons; Curtis Stoltz and Keith Stoltz, 2 gallons.

Together those five individuals have donated 184 pints of blood which have potentially sustained the lives of over 552 people.

The next blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at the Hartley Community Center, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Text 'LIFESERVE' to 999-777 to make your next appointment.

NWI fishing report

Area ice conditions have deteriorated extensively making ice fishing impossible. Many shallower lakes have started to open up in areas; shorelines are receding. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4.

East Okoboji Lake: Crappie, fair. Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill, fair. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting will most likely be needed.

Minnewashta Lake: Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.

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

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: Black crappie, good. Minnows and plastics work well. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill, fair. Yellow perch, good. Find good numbers; may need to sort for size.

West Okoboji Lake: Black crappie, fair. Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill, good. Pumpkinseed, good. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting may be needed.

Ag In the Classroom teaches students about dairy production

Students across seven northwest Iowa counties learned where their milk came from last month.

Siouxland Agriculture in the Classroom is a non-profit organization that teaches Siouxland-area youth where their food comes from as well as the basic agriculture process. The program reaches 4,500 students each month in second and fourth grades with 200 classrooms in 57 schools in Sioux, Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Ida, Cherokee and O'Brien counties.

In January, students across Siouxland learned about dairy cows. Topics included how a dairy cow is properly taken care of by a farmer and what they need every single day to be able to produce milk.

Second graders learned the different steps involved to get milk from the farm to the fridge. They also thought about what they ate in one day and how many food products are made with the milk produced from a dairy cow.

Fourth graders got to play an interactive game to learn facts about dairy cows, like how they can produce an average of 6.3 gallons of milk daily.

Largest sycamore tree in Iowa severely damaged by suspicious fire

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for any information as to the cause of a suspicious fire at Geode State Park on Sunday, Feb. 18.

According to Park Ranger Andrew Kuckler, a visitor alerted staff that a tree in the park was burning. While the fire was extinguished, the tree was severely damaged and its survival is uncertain. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The tree has been certified as the largest sycamore in Iowa. While the exact age is unknown, the sycamore is estimated to be around 350 years old, based on circumference and other measurements.

The DNR is asking for the public's help in obtaining information about the fire.

Dean promoted to senior VP at State Bank

State Bank has promoted Brianna Dean, of Royal, to Senior Vice President. She will also serve on the board of directors of the locally-owned institution.

Dean started in 2012 and is currently the bank's cashier. She manages daily financial operations, coordinates all asset liability management and trust activities, as well as serves as the bank's human resource officer. She also manages the Spencer branch and is a member of State Bank's management, operations and compliance committees.

"Brianna has been a tremendous asset to our organization," said State Bank President Ryan Johnson. "Brianna worked to gain knowledge of the industry, as well as all areas of our family-owned bank and insurance company. State Bank is successful because of its employees and Brianna's leadership has played a key part in staff development and our success."

Dean graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She has completed Leadership Spencer, the Dale Carnegie Course, the Iowa Bankers Association's Bank Leadership Institute, and the graduate school of Banking's Financial Managers School.

When not at the bank, you can find her spending time with her husband, Christopher, and their four children. Brianna also serves on the Spencer Main Street board, coaches her kids' sports teams, and is a Sunday school teacher.