Week of July 25, 2024
Week of July 25, 2024
A multi-million dollar resurfacing project reached Hartley city limits this month. Workers from Croell, Inc. milled the surface of M12 (Vine Avenue and South 8th Avenue West in Hartley) and repoured new concrete over the past week. The overall scope of the project spans the length of M12 from Hartley to Sutherland, and is hoped for completion by the end of August. Concrete pouring reached Highway 18 early this week. O'Brien County Engineer Dennis Clark said surface milling started in early...
The 100th edition of the O'Brien County Fair ushered in a new regime of royalty on Monday. Caden Wittrock, of Paullina, and Makenna Hofmeyer, of Granville, were named king and queen during the coronation ceremony. Wittrock will a be a senior at South O'Brien High School this fall while Hofmeyer is a recent graduate of MOC/FV High School in Orange City. Wittrock is involved in both FFA and 4-H, and is involved in showing cattle, swine and woodworking projects. Hofmeyer is also involved in 4-H...
From carbon paper to computers, Barb Fletcher has seen many changes during her 40-year career as Royal's city clerk. Now she is ready to focus on other things in her life, so she is retiring on July 31. "It's just time," Fletcher acknowledged. Her husband, Randy, retired a few years ago, so both can devote more time to family, which includes three children and four grandchildren. "My husband and I do a lot with our grandchildren," she said. "Our family is all around here so I feel I can keep...
FEMA on Wednesday opened a Disaster Recovery Center in O'Brien County to provide one-on-one help to people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this spring. Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications. The Disaster Recovery Center is located at Sheldon City Hall, 416 9th St., and is open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. To...
• Traffic Maxwell Kenneth Weinke, Woodbury, Minn., Speeding. Lukas Robin Lane Johnson, Hospers, Seatbelt Violation. Ashley Victoria Roberts, Coon Rapids, Minn., Speeding. Olivia Abigail Kelly Evans, Cherokee, Registration Violation. Robert Burdell Rolfes, Sibley, Seatbelt Violation. Todd Matthew Helmers, Sheldon, Seatbelt Violation. Gregory William Hatfield, Swea City, Seatbelt Violation. Brandon James Postma, Sanborn, Registration Violation. Jason Miles Evans, Sanborn, No Proof of Insurance....
Two players from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn were named to the 2024 All-War Eagle Conference baseball teams. Freshman Grant Kunzman was named to the second team. He is a first-time selection. Senior Jacob Cates was named honorable mention for 2024. He was previously named to the first team as a sophomore and a junior, and was honorable mention as a freshman. The following is the complete list of 2024 all-War Eagle Conference baseball selections. First Team: Akron-Westfield – Ashton McCully, Nathan...
Four softball players from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn are all-War Eagle Conference selections, including two who were again named to the first team. For the third straight season, junior Gracie Knobloch has been named to the all-conference first team. Joining her is junior Eliza Tewes, who is on the first team for the second straight year. A pair of seniors were also recognized. Delaney Murphy was named to the all-conference second team and Kinsey Schirmer received honorable mention. Schirmer was...
To say the 2024 Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn baseball team was young would be an understatement. Nearly half of the 16 athletes who played at the varsity level were either freshmen or eighth graders. Under first-year head coach Dawson Schiphoff, H-M-S finished the season with an overall record of 3-18. The victories came against GT/RA (4-3), George-Little Rock (3-2) and Trinity Christian (9-6). Two seniors complete their high school careers. Jacob Cates, who has signed to play baseball at Grandview...
After more than doubling the softball program's win total during the previous two seasons, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn fell back to 7-12 overall in 2024. The Hawks had just one win through the first 10 games but did finish with six wins in the final eight regular season contests. "As a coach, it is hard knowing the potential you have as a team and not reaching that potential," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad. "The girls will need to work hard in the offseason so we can come back stronger next...
I wouldn't consider myself overtly athletic at age 33. Lately, I've been putting that assertion to the test. The parks and rec board this month started a kickball league here in Hartley. Being the spouse of a board member, I was put on a team without my knowledge. I was perfectly fine with it, however, as it's been four years since I've stepped foot on a ball diamond in any competitive fashion. I used to play slow pitch softball in Ashton every Wednesday night during the summer. Unfortunately,...
An unprecedented campaign got even wilder on Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race with less than four months to go. While the November election is still one big coin flip, Democrats from sea to shining sea are breathing a huge sigh of relief. Biden’s goose was cooked last month after a disastrous first debate with former president Donald Trump. To put it mildly, Biden seemed woefully out of his depth. Subsequent public appearances and TV interviews did little to soothe public opinion that the president is too old for four...
Q: Why did you launch a congressional investigation just days after the assassination attempt? A: As Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, I’ve sent letters to the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department to request records and responses regarding Saturday’s monumental security failure. I’m looking for answers regarding the Secret Service’s procedures leading up to, during and after the assassination attempt. I also called on the...
Author’s Note: This is the seventh of a series of devotionals from Psalm 146. “The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.” – Psalm 146:7c Freedom is on the minds of people everywhere; not just here in the United States, where certain freedoms are granted under the Constitution; however, freedom is what people desire no matter what country they live in or the circumstances they find themselves in. Sadly, looking to others for freedom oftentimes result in disappointment, leading to deeper...
June brings historic rainfall to NWI Some areas of northwest Iowa received more than half a year’s worth of rain during the final week of June, leading to significant flooding conditions, according to the latest water summary update by the Iowa DNR. June’s preliminary statewide rainfall average was 5.22 inches. However, precipitation totals varied significantly across different regions of the state. In northwest Iowa, Lake Park received 18.46 inches of rainfall during June, while the Rathbun Dam area only saw 1.96 inches. Some areas of...
• July 28, 1949 The Hartley Future Farmers chapter was selected by the Northwest District to prepare an educational booth for the Iowa State Fair. The booth featured activities and accomplishments of the FFA members. The Melvin Fire Department was called to the John Graves farm when the barn caught on fire from a burning straw pile. The barn burned to the ground in a short time. A large group of folks gathered to see the fire and assist in trying to put it out. One of the seven national youth caravans of the Evangelical and Reformed Church...
Open house planned for Hartley auto shop Stan’s Service by SK Repair will hold an open house on Thursday, Aug. 1 from 5-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The shop is located in the former Stan’s Service building on Highway 18 in Hartley. It was purchased by Stephen and Kelly Embrey in April from former owners Stan and Bonny Jacobs, who retired. See the ad on Page 6 for more details. Hartley Summer Celebration runs Aug. 1-4 Hartley Summer Celebration is just one week away and organizers are excited for this year’s lineup. See the...
Becky Brockmann recently marked her 50th year as owner and operator of Shear Delight Beauty Shop in Hartley. As a licensed cosmetologist, she has devoted many years to building lifelong friendships and professional relationships both locally and throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Jamaica. Brockmann has been a prominent leader in her industry for five decades, holding offices on the State and National Boards of Cosmetology and Barbering, serving under the past four state of...
Memorial services for James W. Hartmann were held Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at First English Lutheran Church in Spencer. Pastor Paul Kaldahl officiated. Honorary casket bearers were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Military services were conducted by American Legion, Glen Pedersen Post #1, and V.F.W. Clay County Post #3159. Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery in rural Everly. Warner Funeral Home in Everly assisted with the arrangements. James "Jim" Wendel Hartmann, the son of Clifford...
