The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Great Iowa Treasure Hunt reaches $300 million returned

A record-shattering $300 million in unclaimed property has been returned to past and present Iowans through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

According to State Treasurer Fitzgerald, $1,038,563.12 has been returned in Clay County since the program was created in 1983, with $1,066,032.63 still waiting to be claimed.

In O'Brien County, $667,828.11 has been returned over the past 38 years and $748,167.48 is still waiting to be claimed.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found.

Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents. Visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search and make your claim.

NWI fishing report

The muskellunge and walleye seasons on West Okoboji, East Okoboji and Spirit Lakes, as well as all Iowa-Minnesota border waters, are open. Slowly trolling weed lines close to shore can catch a variety of species such as panfish and bass. Lake levels are currently lower making navigation and launching more difficult.

East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 66 degrees last Thursday. Leeches with a slip bobber are a simple way to get some success out fishing with kids. Try this setup in about 8 feet or less of water. Black crappie, fair. Try fishing close to docks and hoists. Trolling weed lines has been successful for many anglers. Bluegill, fair. Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leaches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well.

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: Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines, as well as fishing docks and hoists near shore. Black crappie, fair. A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: The walleye bite has been hit-or-miss most nights. Perch and panfish are making their way in shallower, making shoreline and dock fishing advantageous. The water temperature was 65 degrees last Thursday. Yellow perch, fair. Walleye, fair. Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk.

West Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 63 degrees last Thursday. Try fishing for panfish in 8 feet or less and around docks and hoists. Anglers slowly trolling weed lines have been successful catching a variety of species. Bluegill, fair. Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Black crappie, fair.

Comment meetings set for BHE gas rate increase

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has issued an order approving the proposed non-standard customer notices filed by Black Hills Energy and establishing eight consumer comment meetings regarding Black Hills’ planned application to increase its customer natural gas utility rates and charges. Information and frequently asked questions about this rate case are available on the IUB website at iub.iowa.gov.

On April 15, Black Hills filed an application with the IUB for approval of a non-standard notice and a proposed customer notice of rate increase in Docket No. RPU-2021-0002. Black Hills also stated it plans to file an application for an increase in its retail natural gas rates on or about June 1, 2021, under Iowa Code 476.6. The approved customer notice states Black Hills is requesting a temporary rate increase to be effective June 11, 2021.

Under Iowa law, temporary rates may be collected from Black Hills customers and are subject to refund, with interest, if the rates collected are higher than final rates approved by the IUB, or if the IUB determines the interim rates were not based on previously established regulatory principles.

The IUB has scheduled comment meetings throughout Black Hills’ Iowa natural gas service territory for customers to express their views about the upcoming rate case and the general quality of service provided. A meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, in the Clay County Event Center, 800 W. 18th Street in Spencer.

Catalia Martinez, third grade, April Student of the Month at H-M-S Elementary.

A virtual only meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. For those unable to attend an in-person comment meeting, information regarding how to register in advance will be available on the IUB website at iub.iowa.gov.

Any comments made during a public hearing become part of the permanent case record. The IUB is also accepting written comments in this rate case, with the most effective comments making specific points supporting or objecting to the rate request. Customers may provide comments using the IUB electronic comment form, by email to customer@iub.iowa.gov, or by postal mail to the Iowa Utilities Board, Docket No. RPU-2021-0002, 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319.

For assistance with electronic filing of comments, visit https://iub.iowa.gov/how-make-filing-board or call the IUB IT support team at (515) 725-7337.