07/07/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

 

July 7, 2022



Graduate from South Dakota State University

Four area students were among the more than 1,500 spring 2022 semester graduates who met all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Students from 33 states and 20 nations graduated following the spring 2022 semester, with more than 100 students receiving two or more degrees or certificates from an SDSU college.

The following area graduates are listed by degree and college.

Everly: Ty J. Schoelerman, Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; Alexander Dean Jorgensen, Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Hartley: Brian John Schmidt, Bachelor of Science, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Royal: Gage Wayne Berberich, Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.


Awarded nursing scholarship at NCC

The Alpha Evenson Memorial Nursing Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. Students must have first successfully completed the Practical Nursing program and display future potential in the nursing profession.

This year’s recipients of the $2,500 scholarship are Jennifer Horstman, of Paullina; Elsie Nyanjui, of Sheldon; and Marlene Reyes Martinez, of Sanborn.

Graduates from Northeast CC

Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., recently held three commencement ceremonies in the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus.


Among the graduates was Katelyn Vander Stoep, of Hartley, with an Associate of Applied Science Degree – Veterinary Technology.

Locals graduate from WITCC

Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) recently conferred degrees, diplomas and certificates for Spring 2022 to the following list of local graduates:

Hartley: Raisul Rubel.

Sanborn: Julius Masita and Faith Nyambati.

Seasons Center reaccredited by AAS

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spencer has again been approved by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) as an accreditied Crisis Intervention Program. After a site visit and extensive review, it has been determined that Seasons Center meets all criteria set by AAS.

“Seasons Center is entrenched in its community providing needed services to those in crisis,” said Director of Accreditation, Training & Certification Chris Sandwell in a news release. “They provide excellent services for those in life-threatening crises. Services are well-organized, evaluated and provided. Curriculum is well thought-out and planned, with more than 40 hours of time spent in training including classroom, role-play and experiential learning.”

Seasons was surveyed in the areas of administration, screening, training and monitoring, general service, services in life threatening crises, ethical standards and practices, community integration and program evaluation.

“Reaccreditation through the American Association of Suicidology is evidence of Seasons Center’s ongoing commitment to providing services that meet nationally recognized standards,” said Dan Ries, President and CEO of Seasons. “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with AAS to further improve our lifesaving crisis services for our communities, including our 24-hour crisis line, crisis evaluations and mobile crisis services.”

New notary commission app in Fast Track Filing

Iowans can now submit new notary commission applications online through the Fast Track Filing system, Secretary Pate announced last month. This addition will allow notaries to apply for a new commission from the comfort of their home, without having to scan in documents any longer.

While Notary Renewals have been available to file online for years, this is the first time an original commission can be filed electronically. Per Iowa Code, Notaries must renew their commission every three years. There are currently more than 58,000 active notaries across the state.

Since its launch in 2018, Fast Track Filing has become a hub for business owners to file and manage their business documents. Currently, more than 90 percent of business filings are conducted through the system.

The latest addition is one of many since the initial launch of the system.

CCF Home Wine & Craft Beer Dept. to include more prizes

The Home Wine and Craft Beer Department will include 15 divisions in the wine category and nine divisions in the craft beer category for the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept 10-18.

“No matter your skill level, entering your wine or beer exhibit into the fair is a great way to receive professional feedback from judges who own wineries and breweries,” said Superintendent Kristen Hartwig, in a news release. “We’re also excited to have the beer or wine label competition sponsored by F8 Creative back. This category allows exhibitors to use their graphic design, painting, or drawing skills to create a wine or beer label.”

Sponsors include InnSpiration Wines and Vines, HyVee, Doll Distributing, Northern Brewer, the Iowa Project Brewing Company, F8 Creative, and West O Beer. Prizes will include wine stoppers, gift certificates, and a one-night stay at InnSpiration Winery loft vacation rental.

All exhibitors planning to enter a project within this department must enter two bottles of wine or craft beer. This allows for the entry to be judged and displayed during the nine days of the fair, Sept. 10-18.

Entries are open to all from any county or state. Check out the exhibitor handbook online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the fair administrative offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Aug. 22. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted on Sept. 6 from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Spencer Hospital earns national accreditation

Spencer Hospital was recently awarded accreditation by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ), a national accreditation organization sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to care practices and standards that are consistent with patient safety and quality care outcomes.

“Spencer Hospital has a long-standing commitment to the continuous improvement activities needed to enhance care and services to the communities we serve,” said Bill Bumgarner, Spencer Hospital president, in a news release. “CIHQ accreditation demonstrates that our quality assessment and improvement initiatives effectively advance care processes and optimize the care offered to our patients.”

The accreditation process included a rigorous, unannounced onsite assessment in April. CIHQ representatives toured the hospital and its affiliated clinics to review medical records; observe care practices; interview patients and employees; and assess compliance with a wide range of regulatory requirements. The affiliated clinics included in the survey process were Avera Medical Group Spencer, Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint & Sports Surgeons, Northwest Iowa Ear, Nose & Throat, Milford Family Care and Sioux Rapids Family Care.

In past years, Spencer Hospital was surveyed by the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals. Hospital leadership chose to seek CIHQ accreditation, which in addition to requiring more frequent inspection visits, routinely provides education and consultation regarding best healthcare practices.

Bumgarner expressed his appreciation to Spencer Hospital’s employees and its medical staff for their commitment to excellence.

“In the end, it’s the professionalism and compassion of the hospital’s employees, medical staff and our partners in care that make Spencer Hospital one of the state’s preeminent rural hospitals,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have such an outstanding and caring team.”

NWI fishing report

Most area lake temperatures have warmed into the upper 70s-80s over the last week. Water clarity is fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfishing is great on most lakes closer along weed lines in 10-15 feet of water. Most fish species are moving to deeper water as their spawning season ends.

East Okoboji Lake: Lake temperature was in the lower 80s last Thursday. The water level is level with crest. Fish are moving shallower post-spawn. Trolling has been working very well. Find crappie and yellow bass in 10-16 feet of water. Try fishing weed lines where there is new vegetation growth.

Black crappie, good. Best bite is in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines. Bluegill, good. Walleye, fair. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow bass, good.

Lost Island Lake: Fishing/trolling is getting more difficult as aquatic vegetation reaches the surface in many places. Black crappie, fair. Walleye, slow. Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow perch, fair.

Minnewashta Lake: Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black crappie, good. Bluegill, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): The late afternoon bite has been fair. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day. Vegetation growth is making fishing more difficult in many areas.

Walleye, fair. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.

Spirit Lake: Water temperature was in the upper 70s last Thursday. The lake is 7 inches below crest. The walleye season is open.

Black bullhead, good. Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Black crappie, fair. Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill, fair. Walleye, good. Use spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps; try to find weed lines. Yellow perch, fair. Many perch can be caught, you but may need to sort for size.

West Okoboji Lake: Water temperature was in the upper 70s last Thursday. The water level is even with crest. Many fish are moving deeper post-spawn. Rocky points and areas with new vegetation growth have seen the most success. The walleye season is open.

Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Largemouth bass, fair. Smallmouth bass, fair. Try fishing off points with surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye, fair. Try fishing off points by trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset.

Filing fees for Iowa businesses decreased

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced last week the cost of fees for businesses filing with his office will be reduced. Effective July 1, Uniform Commercial Code filings were cut in half and Biennial Report fees for most entities were reduced by $15.

A Technology Modernization Fund was established in 2017 to help the Secretary of State upgrade systems to enhance services the state provides to businesses. The fund included an adjustment in some filing fees for users. Now that the five-year fee adjustment has ended, the fees that are under the control of the Iowa Secretary of State will be significantly reduced.

For many Iowans who conduct business with the Iowa Secretary of State, Fast Track Filing was a welcomed change. Clients of law firms were elated with the speedy processing time. Firms located outside the Des Moines area no longer had to use a delivery service and the added risk of missing an important deadline. It was all at their fingertips. The online system allowed entrepreneurs to launch their businesses faster, enabled business owners to focus on their goals sooner, and saved them time and valuable resources.

Spring semester graduate at DMACC

Nearly 1,800 students graduated from Des Moines Area Community College at the conclusion of the spring 2022 semester. One of the graduates is Nolan Landauer, of Royal, who completed the welding, gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding programs.

Counting turkeys in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for help with its annual wild turkey production survey. During the months of July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success.

Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting/Wild-Turkey-Survey.

Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey.

 
 

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