Hunter Dorhout earns University of Nebraska-Lincoln degree

Hunter William Dorhout, of Sanborn, was among 3,512 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 7 and 8.

Dorhout earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with highest distinction from the College of Engineering.

Tom Osborne, former Nebraska football coach, athletic director and congressman, delivered the keynote address during the undergraduate ceremonies May 8 at Memorial Stadium.

Gabriel Bronstad recognized as 'Best of the Class'

Gabriel Bronstad, the valedictorian of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Class of 2021, is one of the "Best of the Class" honorees selected by KCAU 9 television in Sioux City. He is the son of Stephanie Bronstad and Gary Bronstad.

The 107 students in the group will be honored with on-air salutes during "Best of the Class" announcements in May and June.

H-M-S groups participate in music festival

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School musicians participated in the state large group contest on May 7, at Newell-Fonda High School. The concert band received a I rating while the mixed chorus received a II.

JH band at Tulip Festival

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School band will march in the Tulip Festival parade in Orange City on Friday, May 14. The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Summer day camps offered for youth ages 3-15

O'Brien County Conservation will host a variety of youth day camps this summer for ages 3-15, grouped by age, to get them connected to the greater world around them.

"Mini Naturalists" is an hour-long program for youth ages 3-6. It is a great hands-on introduction to nature for these budding naturalists. This program, offered once a month, will include games, crafts and hikes. Parents or adult caregivers are encouraged to stay for the program.

"Nature Navigators" is for youth ages 7-10, and this program will have kids investigating nature through hands-on experiences. This once a month, two-hour long program will include fun nature activities, games and crafts. Each month will offer different activities.

Adventurers youth camp is for kids who are 11-15 years old. This two-hour long program will have campers trying new activities and going on adventures outdoors. Each month will host a different topic with activities geared toward that topic. There is even an opportunity for an overnight camp during Outdoor Quest.

Each camp session has a different theme so your child can enjoy one or enjoy them all. Registration is required for each program and space is limited. Day camp programs are available at no cost. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org, or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.

Century and Heritage Farm apps due June 1

The Century and Heritage Farm Program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To be included in the 2021 Century or Heritage Farm Program, eligible farm owners must submit completed applications by June 1. To apply, download the application on the department's website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.

Applications may also be requested from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at (515) 281-3645 or Kelley.Reece@IowaAgriculture.gov. Written requests can be mailed to Century or Heritage Farm Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.

The ceremonies recognizing the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 19-20, in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

Elderbridge offices to begin in-person appointments

Elderbridge Agency on Aging offices in Spencer, Carroll, Fort Dodge and Mason City will begin taking in-person appointments effective June 1. Please call (800) 243-0678 to schedule an appointment with an Options Counselor.

Pandemic mitigation measures requirements will be shared with you when you call. Walks-ins are discouraged at this time. Telephone appointments will also continue to be available.

Meendering receives public service award

Rod Meendering, CPA and manager with Wither Stave & Co LLP in Spencer, received the Iowa Society of CPAs (ISCPA) Public Service Award during the virtual 2021 annual meeting on May 7. The award recognizes an Iowa CPA who has exhibited a distinguished record of personal commitment to community, charitable, civic and public service activities, and enhanced the professional image of CPAs.

Meendering, a Hartley native, graduated from Hartley-Melvin High School in 1987. He devotes his time and resources to several local organizations, including: Y's Men Club of the Spencer Family YMCA, Spencer Betterment Committee and Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Meendering has also served as treasurer of First Congregational Church since 1998; and before that, he served on the Board of Deacons.

Additionally, Meedering solicits contributions for the United Way annual fund drive, helps with the Chamber Business After Hours and Business Before Hours, and volunteers at annual events and community fundraisers.

Drought conditions worsen in Iowa

Statewide average precipitation totaled 1.61 inches in April, or 1.9 inches below normal, ranking last month as one of the Top 20 driest Aprils in 149 years of statewide records, according to the Iowa DNR.

As a result, stream flows are below normal in much of the state, and shallow groundwater supplies are of concern in northern and northwestern Iowa. In addition, 78 percent of the state is rated as experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions, the highest extent since September 2020.

"All of the indicators used in the water summary update are trending drier," said Tim Hall, DNR's coordinator of hydrology resources. "April was very dry across much of the state, leading to lower stream flows, and concerns about shallow groundwater supplies in parts of the state. This time of the year the state should be receiving more than an inch per week of rain, so we are falling farther behind."

In a normal year, April begins the important stretch of significant rainfall for Iowa. From April through August, Iowa receives nearly two-thirds of its annual rainfall. April 2021 precipitation ranked as nearly the driest on record for much of the state, with the north-central, northeast and central regions ranked nearly the driest Aprils on record.

While there were periods of cooler than average temperatures and warmer, windy days, the statewide average temperature was 49.3 degrees, slightly warmer than normal. Desoto reported the month's high temperature of 93 degrees on April 26, 26 degrees above average. Estherville Municipal Airport and Battle Creek reported the month's low temperature of 11 degrees on April 1, 19 degrees below normal.

In the last month, streamflow conditions across approximately one-third of the state have moved into below normal conditions. The Skunk, Des Moines, Raccoon and West Fork Cedar rivers, and a portion of the Cedar River basin, have moved into below normal conditions.

NWI fishing report

The walleye season is open on the Iowa Great Lakes. All courtesy docks should now be in place. Lake levels are currently lower, making navigation and launching more difficult.

East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 51 degrees last Thursday. Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair.

Lost Island Lake: Anglers have had consistent success with yellow perch and a few other species this spring. Yellow perch, good. Bluegill, fair. Black crappie, fair. Walleye, fair.

Minnewashta Lake: Black crappie, fair. A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: Perch and panfish are slowly making their way in shallower water, making shoreline and dock fishing more promising. The water temperature was 50 degrees last Thursday. Yellow perch, fair.

West Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 50 degrees last week. Bluegill, fair. Black crappie, fair.

Popular fish survey data returns to DNR webpage

Iowa anglers can once again access fish survey data collected by Iowa DNR fisheries staff during electroshocking and netting surveys on lakes, rivers and streams.

Survey summaries from individual lakes and rivers, fish species lengths compared across lakes, and fish length and weight data can be viewed and downloaded from http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fish-Survey-Data. Additional data and summaries will be available in the future.

Rod Meendering

Fish survey data was removed from the DNR webpage in 2018, while a new data management system was acquired to capture and store fisheries data. The new data management system will be updated with new fish survey data faster than with the previous system.