12/05/24: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Deer donation program

The Iowa DNR, the Food Bank of Iowa and 31 meat lockers are participating in the Help Us Stop Hunger program for 2024. 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 or recipient 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.

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.

Iowa Medicare open enrollment closes Dec. 7

Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. It's important for Medicare beneficiaries to remember that Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, and providers can change each year, so evaluating your options could help you find better coverage, and even save money.

Medicare beneficiaries will receive information about any plan changes in the mail. Most will receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September from your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. This is a summary of any changes in the plan's cost, coverage and service area that will take effect on Jan. 1 of the next year. Other Medicare beneficiaries could receive information that their plan may not be renewed for the next year, and they will need to find a new plan during the Open Enrollment Period. It is critical to ensure that all mail from your plan is read to stay informed about all possible changes.

Iowans seeking assistance through the Iowa Insurance Division's Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) can visit shiip.iowa.gov to find a counselor in their county, or find additional information on how to compare plans at shiip.iowa.gov/medicare-open-enrollment-period.

There are a number of changes for Medicare beneficiaries to be aware of occurring in 2025 that are a result of the adoption of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. These include a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug spending as well as the implementation of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. A summary of those changes can be found at the Iowa SHIIP website.

Key dates to remember: Oct. 15, open enrollment began; Dec. 7, open enrollment ends; Jan. 1, coverage begins.

If you're currently a Medicare beneficiaries and have reviewed your plan changes and are happy with your current coverage, you don't need to do anything during the Open Enrollment. Help from Medicare is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

SHIIP/ SMP provides counseling, assistance and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. These programs help people navigate the complexities of Medicare and related insurances and prevent Medicare fraud. SHIIP and SMP are operated by the Iowa Insurance Division, and supported by federal funds.

NWI fishing report

Many smaller/shallower lakes have started to ice over in the nights. Most fish have moved in closer to shore as temperature drop; catches has fallen off a bit for most species. Most ramp docks have been pulled for the season.

East Okoboji Lake: Lake level is just below crest. The ramp/dock at upper gar can be used for the remainder of the open water season.

Black crappie, good. Bluegill, good. Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth bass, fair. Bass are a ways off shore; you can find some around docks and structures. Yellow perch, good. Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.

Ingham Lake: Walleye, fair. Morning and afternoon bite is best.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Lake level is below crest. Courtesy docks have been pulled for the season. Walleye, good. Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.

Spirit Lake: Lake level is a few inches below crest. The ramp/dock at Templar can be used for the remainder of the season.

Black crappie, good. Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14-inches. Bluegill, good. Walleye, good. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow perch, good. Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.

West Okoboji Lake: Lake level is a few inches below crest. Triboji dock is in. Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, good.

New snowmobile law streamlines Iowa permit requirements

Iowa snowmobilers are no longer required to purchase and display an annual trail user permit, according to a new law that went into effect July 1, 2024. The law folded the trail user permit into the annual snowmobile registration fee, which will now be $30 plus administration fees. The previous price for each type was $15.

Registration and permit fees for snowmobiles are placed in a dedicated account for snowmobile programs in Iowa, including the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program, which is administered through the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. The grant program supports snowmobile trail development and grooming; equipment purchases and maintenance; and trail signage in cooperation with snowmobile clubs all across Iowa.

Snowmobilers who own a new machine or have not yet entered the snowmobile into the state registration system need to go to the county recorder's office in their county of residence to start the registration process. To renew an existing registration, visit the county recorder or go online to http://www.gooutdoorsiowa.com

Nonresident snowmobilers will still need to purchase and display the trail user permit, which are available at any county recorder's Office, through retailers that sell hunting and fishing licenses, or online at http://www.gooutdoorsiowa.com.

NCC president chosen for Aspen Institute Fellowship

Dr. John Hartog III, President of Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, is one of 25 innovative leaders selected to participate in the second cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. The fellows will engage in a unique year-long professional development experience that will help them refine and enact a reform agenda to help more of their students succeed both during and after college.

"Community colleges educate millions of diverse students every year who are relying on them to deliver the education and credentials they need for a fulfilling life and career," said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program in a news release. "I am delighted that these 25 accomplished presidents have committed to strengthening their institutions' strategies to ensure that more students achieve those aims."

Through the year-long program, fellows will work with highly accomplished community college presidents, Aspen leaders and each other to analyze their college's outcomes and develop concrete plans inspired by field-leading practices. They will engage in a curriculum that will include exemplars from the field, data reports on available good jobs and student outcomes in completion and transfer, and qualitative reports about how well their current practices are aligned to what research reveals has led other colleges to high and equitable levels of student success.

"I am thankful that the Aspen Institute will work with me to improve my leadership so that I can serve all of NCC's students better. I have plenty to learn, and I am grateful that JPMorgan supports this quality development program," Hartog said.

The Presidents Fellowship is made possible with philanthropic support from JPMorgan Chase through the firm's New Skills at Work initiative, which aims to prepare young people for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers.

$8.5M to reward teacher excellence

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education last week announced $8.5 million in competitive grants to support Iowa school districts in developing systems to identify and recognize teachers who significantly accelerate student learning.

The Teachers Accelerating Learning grant program will celebrate excellence in teaching and help districts attract and retain top teachers. All Iowa public school districts that commit to developing and implementing a methodology for identifying and recognizing teachers who accelerate student learning beyond one year's growth are eligible to apply.

Total district award amounts will vary based on the number of teachers in the district, not to exceed $500,000 a year for each of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Awarded districts will use the grant funds to provide supplementary pay of up to $2,500 per year to up to the Top 10 percent of teachers within the district who accelerate student learning beyond one year's growth.

Seasons Center to open crisis stabilization center

The ribbon cutting and open house for Seasons Center for Behavioral Health's new crisis stabilization center are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5.

The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. with the open house to follow until 1 p.m. The facility was created as part of a remodel project at Seasons Center's Administrative Office located at 201 East 11th Street in Spencer.

The crisis stabilization center is named Alex's Place in honor and memory of Alex Jacobsen. He was no stranger to pain, was troubled for a very long time and was plagued with mental hardship that included many diagnoses. While no stone went unturned in the family's attempts to save him from himself, Jacobsen died by suicide in December 2020. If anything can be learned from him, it's that mental illness is real and it doesn't discriminate.

Alex's Place is a four-bed stabilization center that will provide services to adults 18-plus experiencing a mental health crisis that does not require an inpatient level of care. Examples of a mental health crisis include but are not limited to suicidal ideation, behavior that could pose risk to themselves or others, anxiety, depression or substance abuse in combination with increasing mental health symptoms. Alex's Place is appropriate for individuals who do not require hospitalization but need symptom stabilization assistance and skill-building services to regain stability and wellbeing.

"We are excited for the opening of Alex's Place and the ability to provide crisis stabilization services in this area," said Karen Rosengreen, Vice President of Medical Services at Seasons Center. "Alex would want to see others reach out for help before it is too late, and so do we."

Alex's Place will begin serving clients sometime in January 2025.

KIB photo contest

Keep Iowa Beautiful's 15th Annual Photography Contest is in full swing. The annual contest aims at raising awareness of Iowa's natural and environmental beauty.

The two-phase contest ends on Friday, Dec. 13. Each of the six categories will be awarded $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place

In February, the six first-place winners will be featured on Keep Iowa Beautiful's social media for public voting to select 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 $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place.

The six categories are included below.

Iowa Landscape: Capture Iowa's beauty through depictions of Iowa's landscape, including but not limited to: farm fields, rolling hills, and wooded forests.

Iowa Water: Feature Iowa's beautiful water systems with depictions of Iowa rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.

Iowa Cities: Iowa's urban centers are hubs of history, culture and beauty. This category features depictions of Iowa's cities, street scenes and urban landmarks.

Iowans in Action: This category aims to capture the spirit of Iowa through depictions of the people that live, work and play in Iowa. All means of action that can be captured: biking, running, fishing, hunting and hiking are but a few.

Iowa Wildlife: Iowa is home to a variety of beautiful critters. This category aims to showcase Iowa's beauty through depictions of Iowa's wildlife animals: mammals, fish, birds, bugs and more.

Hometown Pride: More than 100 Iowa towns have participated in our "Hometown Pride" program. This category features depictions of Hometown Pride towns and/or photos of activities by Hometown Pride committees. Please review the list of Hometown Pride towns to see if your photo qualifies.

Contest rules and entry guidelines can be found on Keep Iowa Beautiful's website: https://keepiowabeautiful.org/photography-contest/.

Doe harvest registry

Hunters interested in working with farmers to harvest additional does are encouraged to sign up with the Iowa Doe Harvest Registry. The registry has been a resource that the Iowa DNR has offered to farmers since the mid-2000s, but is now easier to access.

To participate, go to https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting and complete the online form. Hunters and farmers can select their preferred hunting seasons and their region of the state.

Harvesting antlerless deer is the most important tool for managing deer populations at the state, county and local level.

Donations sought for PHC renovations

Donations are currently being sought for the main floor exhibit renovation project at the Prairie Heritage Center.

This initiative aims to enhance the visitor experience and revitalize the exhibit space by incorporating modern technology, updated displays and improved accessibility, fostering an engaging and inclusive environment. Your support can make a meaningful difference.

For more details about the project, including the new design schematics, please visit the Prairie Heritage Center webpage. The Little Sioux Valley Conservation Association (LSVCA), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is collecting donations on behalf of O'Brien County Conservation for this endeavor. The LSVCA is committed to developing and enhancing environmental education and conservation projects within O'Brien County and its neighboring communities.

Donations can be sent to LSVCA, PO Box 74, Peterson, IA 51047, or made online by visiting https://lsvca.betterworld.org/campaigns/prairie-heritage-center-exhibit.