09/29/22: Area Happenings & Events

 

September 29, 2022

H-M-S Backpack Program seeks donations

Organizers of the Kids' Backpack Program at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn are once again helping local children in need this year by providing a backpack full of food every week.

Businesses and members of the community can help provide for these children by sending monetary donations to United Community Bank, Rodney Ahrenstroff or dropping them off at Fiesta Foods.

This project has been made possible by the generous support of the community for several years. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact Darla Meyer at (712) 260-2681.

Clay County Fair seeks visitor input

Fairgoers who attended the 2022 Clay County Fair powered by SMU are encouraged to visit the fair's website, http://www.claycountyfair.com, to fill out a survey about their experience before Oct. 1 and be entered for a chance to win a $500 prize pack to the 2023 Fair.


For those individuals not comfortable with taking an online survey, paper copies are available at the fair's administrative offices located in the Events Center (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). Paper copies can also be mailed to individuals interested in the survey by calling (712) 580-3000.

Hartley student in first-year class at UI

This fall's incoming first-year class at the University of Iowa – a group that includes Desyre Martinez, of Hartley, who plans to pursue a degree in Open Major – has topped previous records with an average high school grade-point average of 3.82. The average GPA for the classes of 2025 and 2024 were 3.81 and 3.78, respectively.


It is the third-largest incoming first-year class on record at 5,178 students. The Class of 2026 has 657 more students than last year's incoming first-year class. About 54 percent of first-year students are Iowa residents and about 1 percent are international students. The class represents 92 of Iowa's 99 counties.

Total undergraduate, graduate and professional enrollment at the University of Iowa is 30,015 students. Additionally, Iowa has 1,302 postgraduate scholars (medical residents and postdoctoral students).

Audit report for H-M-S released

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. has released an audit report on the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District.

District revenues totaled $11,984,951 for the year ended June 30, 2021, a 4.34 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses for district operations for the year totaled $10,769,521, a 25.34 percent increase from the prior year.

The increase in total revenues is mainly due to increased revenue from operating grants, contributions and restricted interest and property taxes compared to the prior year. The increase in total expenses occurred mainly in the support services function.

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson reported seven findings found on pages 64-69 of the report. They address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties, reliable financial statements, expenditures exceeding the certified budget, questionable disbursements, board minutes, certified enrollment and board policies. Nolte, Cornman & Johnson provided the district with recommendations to address each of the findings.

Five of the findings which relate to the district are repeated from the prior year. The board of education has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of district operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the "watchful and responsible care" a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the district secretary's office, the Office of the Auditor of State and on the auditor's website at https://auditor.iowa.qov/audit-report.

Aging agency receives food assistance grant

Elderbridge Agency on Aging received a $2,000 grant for food assistance through Farm Credit Services of America's Working Here Fund.

The grant will be used to support the emergency food assistance program for the homebound. Funds will be used to purchase frozen, shelf-stable meals or home-delivered meals from meal sites.

The need for services to maintain the independent living of Iowans has increased. Funds and food were provided to 786 low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in 2020 and the need continues to grow.

Elderbridge Agency on Aging, which serves a 29-county region in northwest and northcentral Iowa, is one of 64 organizations to receive a "Working Here Fund" grant in the second quarter of 2022. FCSAmerica awarded $120,085 during the latest grant cycle ending June 30, 2022.

National 4-H Week celebrates "Opportunity4All"

The 4-H program is well-known for its tradition of building future leaders in agriculture; however, the program has evolved to encompass every industry and every passion that youth may possess. This year's National 4-H Week theme, "Opportunity4All," is a reminder that 4-H is for all kids, those with agricultural interests and those with other interests as well.

From crops to coding, food to fashion, music to mechanical engineering, welding to wildlife and much more, 4-H has a place and programs to meet the needs and ideas of all youth. And better yet, 4-H connects youth with knowledgeable, skilled adult volunteers who have experience in the industry and can help them grow and learn.

The positive environment provided by 4-H mentors ensures that kids in every county and parish in the country, from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities, are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles and are empowered with the skills to lead in life and career.

The "Opportunity4All theme" is a reminder that opportunity is not about division and opportunity should not be one-sided. All kids have talents and interests, and nothing should hold a kid back. Every youth should have an equal opportunity to succeed both now and in the future. These opportunities will inspire kids' lives and these youth will in turn inspire their communities.

For over 100 years, 4‑H has inspired families, shaped careers and impacted communities. For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, please contact your local Extension office (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices/) or visit the Iowa 4-H website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.

The new 4-H year is just beginning and new 4-H members and volunteers are always welcome.

NWI fishing report

Most area lake temps are in the low 70s to upper 60s. The forecast calls for cooler conditions, which should allow the bite to start picking up. Fishing from and around docks has been getting better. Start looking for bigger fish to get more active in shallower water.

East Okoboji Lake: Lake temperature is in the low 70s. The water level is three inches below crest. There has been a fairly good crappie and bluegill and yellow perch bite recently. Bigger fish are out deeper in 12-17 feet of water; smaller fish are closer to shore. Trolling has been working fairly well.

 
 

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