Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Employees from Iowa State Bank recently presented the H-M-S Athletic Boosters with a check for touchdowns scored during the football season. For each touchdown and field goal H-M-S scored at home games, the bank donated $75 and $50, respectively, for a total of $1,475. Pictured from left to right: Ryan Postma, James Vogt, Andy Schierholz and Dillon Griebel.
Blood donors achieve milestone during 2024
Thirty-five units of blood were collected during the drive held in Hartley on Dec. 24. Those donations will save or potentially sustain the lives of 105 people in need.
According to LifeServe Blood Center, 234 units of blood were given during the six drives held in Hartley during 2024, saving and potentially sustaining the lives of 702 people.
These donors achieved milestone donations during the year: Bradley Meendering, 16 gallons; Betty Harms, 9; Steve Prins, Mark Dodge, 8; Douglas Nagel, Brian Rons, 6; John Schierholz, 4; Ashley Tessum, Rebecca Stoltz, Kyle McCarter, Joyce Tewes, 3; Alan Tarnasky, Sandra Mohni, Curtis Stoltz, 2; Megan Kellen, Jose Ramirez, Shirley Groff, Cynthia Pingel, Lynn Dau, Keith Stoltz, Sandra Nelson, 1 gallon.
Together, those individuals have donated 656 pints of blood, potentially sustaining the lives of 1,968 people.
The next drive in Hartley is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ.
Community coach joins Hometown Pride program
Carissa Harvey is the new community coach for nine towns in northwest Iowa, including Royal, which joined the Hometown Pride program in 2024.
Harvey brings over 15 years of experience in plan development and implementation, grant writing and administration, project management and code development. She has taken part in a variety of quality-of-life projects including those focused on public art, recreation, downtown development, and more. Harvey holds an undergraduate degree in Community and Regional Planning and a graduate certificate in GIS from Iowa State University.
In addition to Royal, other communities actively participating in the program are Albert City, Alta, Aurelia, Lake Park, Lakeside, Marathon, Sioux Rapids and Storm Lake.
"It's refreshing to see these communities ready to jump in. Each one has many unique and exciting things happening, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help them take their betterment efforts even further," Harvey said in a news release.
The Hometown Pride program has been strengthening the economic and cultural vitality of Iowa communities since 2012. To date, 118 towns have participated. The program has completed 2,000 community betterment projects and engaged more than 2,000 volunteers to drive lasting, positive change.
Guided by a community coach, local leaders and volunteers collaborate on strategic initiatives, with each new town now forming a team to tackle community improvement projects. The Royal Visioning Committee will serve as Royal's Hometown Pride team.
According to Andy Frantz, Executive Director of Keep Iowa Beautiful, the Hometown Pride program empowers local leaders and volunteers to strengthen their communities through strategic planning and meaningful projects.
"We look forward to seeing the positive transformation ahead," he said.
The Hometown Pride program is made possible through the generous support of private donors, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and participating communities.
