News

Thu
28
Mar

Supervisor Lee wants meeting about Reasoner Dam future


A look over the Lake Nokomis area of the Des Moines River in Humboldt on a bright summer day. Humboldt Independent file photo.

BY APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Conservation Board, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and the River Development Group made the decision to table any work on the Joe Reasoner Dam until more information can be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The decision was made during the regular Humboldt County Conservation Board meeting on Wednesday, March 20.
The River Development Group has been in contact with Nate Hoogeveen with the DNR and members of Homeland Security about the possibility of repairing the dam to keep Lake Nokomis.
Gary Jensen and Rutland Mayor Susan Tille and her husband Joel with the River Development Group along with Dave Lee with the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors attended the meeting to request that the discussion on repairing the dam be reopened. Read about the discussions in this week's Humboldt Independent. Stay informed and read what you are missing.

Thu
28
Mar

Bornhoft ends 40+ year career at Corn Belt


Kevin Bornhoft makes a presentation to the Corn Belt Power Board of Directors in this photo from Dec. 29, 2010. Submitted photo.

If you ask Kevin Bornhoft to find a location in Corn Belt Power’s service territory, you won’t have to wait long. To those who know him, it doesn’t come as a surprise, as Bornhoft has spent the last 43 years serving member-cooperatives in Corn Belt Power’s engineering and system operations department. Bornhoft is set to retire as vice president, system operations and engineering in late March.
When Bornhoft started at Corn Belt Power on June 1, 1981 as a draftsman, he was just 20 years old, fresh out of college with an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering. He wasn’t married, didn’t have any kids, but was ready to go to work.
It's exceedingly rare to see someone spend their entire career at one organization. For Bornhoft, it was easy.
“I just love the people and have always had challenges here,” he said. “I’ve been treated so well. I really enjoy working with our employees, board and managers group," he said.

Thu
28
Mar

David Hundertmark celebrates 50 years at auction house


David Hundertmark at a recent auction. Between farming and running the local auction service, David’s time is easily filled. Submitted photo.

By Tracy Lindquist and Maren Lindquist
This March marked 50 years of auctioneering for Humboldt County auctioneer David Hundertmark. The auction service’s beginning dates back to 1966 with David’s uncle, Cletis Hundertmark.
David recalls that “at first I didn’t want to become an auctioneer.” However, In 1974, Cletis convinced David to attend auction school and form a partnership.
David can still recall his first auction with Cletis. “It was a benefit auction. I was past nervous. My stomach was coming right out of my ears.”
After 50 years, all signs of nerves are gone for the no longer rookie auctioneer.
Read about what he has liked about his half-century career in this week's Humboldt Independent, your trusted source for local news and sports.

Thu
21
Mar

Audiences get a "CLUE' during theater production


Pictured are the suspects from the play CLUE, being performed this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium. From left to right: Kayden Caquelin as Professor Plum, Hayden Hansen as Colonel Mustard, Morgan Mayall as Miss Scarlet, Austin Little as Mr. Boddy, Zackary Evans as Wadsworth, Jordan Kahl as Mrs. White, Jaynee Depue as Mrs. Peacock and Mason McKimmey as Mr. Green. Humboldt Independent photo by Kent Thompson.

By KENT THOMPSON
CLUE, the classic board game where everyone is both an amateur detective and also a criminal suspect is one of the more fun and intriguing ways to spend time at play.
The board game came to life in 1985 when Paramount Pictures released a movie version with stars such as Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry, Michael McKean and Eileen Brennan. The movie featured three alternative endings.
Now, the Humboldt High School dramatics department is performing CLUE: (the High School Edition.)
The play will be performed this Friday and Saturday, March 22-23 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students.
Here is the cast list
Wadsworth: Zackery Evans
Yvette: Joslyn Orr
Miss Scarlet: Morgan Mayall
Mrs. Peacock: Jaynee Depue
Mrs. White: Jordan Kahl
Colonel Mustard: Hayden Hansen
Professor Plum: Kayden Caquelin
Mr. Green: Mason McKimmey
Ensemble:

Thu
21
Mar

Bald eagles saved by quick action


A firefighter points to the eagles' nest in the very upper branches of the tree. The firefighters had worked to extinguish the fire around the tree and to clear debris to keep it from reigniting once the eagles were spotted. Photo courtesy of Kyle Bissell, Humboldt County EMA coordinator.

BY APRIL KELLEY
Thanks to the “eagle eye” of Emergency Management Coordinator, Kyle Bissell, and the work of a dedicated group of volunteer firefighters, a pair of nesting bald eagles and their unborn eaglets were saved on Wednesday, March 13.
According to reports, a landowner was burning CRP grass on Tuesday, March 12 on 160th Street and Arizona Avenue in Bradgate. According to the incident commander, Bradgate Fire Chief, Clay Wells, at one point, the fire jumped the CRP land area, igniting a stand of timber that runs along the Des Moines River. Fire crews from Bradgate, Rolfe, West Bend, Gilmore City and Bode responded to the fire.
Read how alert action by firefighters fighting the fire saved a bald eagle nest in this week's edition.

Thu
21
Mar

Berry named Clerk of the Year


Angelique Berry, with the City of Dakota City has been named the 2023 City Clerk of the Year. Berry is pictured with Zeb McFarland of the Iowa Rural Water Association. Submitted photo.

The Iowa Rural Water Association is pleased to announce that Angelique Berry with the City of Dakota City has been named the 2023 City Clerk of the Year. Berry was presented with the award during the Iowa Rural Water Association’s 49th Annual Conference held at the Veteran’s Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center Feb. 19-21, in Des Moines.
This award is presented to an outstanding City Clerk who has gone above and beyond the normal requirements of their job. Read more about this story in this week's Humboldt Independent. Subscribe online by clicking on the link at the top of this page.

Thu
21
Mar

Citizens speak out about need for curbside collection


The Humboldt City Council will revisit the issue of junk days collect at its meeting on April 1. A the council's March 4 meeting, it was agreed to switch from curbside collection by city workers to having citizens deliver junk items that cannot fit in garbage bags to the city Recycling Center at selected times on April 29, May 1, May 3 and May 4.

Editor's note: The Humboldt City Council article in today's Humboldt Independent print edition contains an error. Brad Boughey was misidentified as Brad Duffy. The article has been corrected in its entirety below. The Humboldt Independent strives for accuracy and apologizes for the error of fact.

Thu
14
Mar

Supervisors hear update on Eagle Ridge Nature Trail


This is a drawing of the area above the Eagle Ridge housing development that will be formed into a crushed limestone walking/biking trail. The city is awaiting FEMA approval to get the project out for bid. It is expected that will happen in June. Drawing courtesy of ISG.

BY APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors received an update on the Eagle Ridge Nature Trail project during their regular meeting on Monday, March 10.
Humboldt City Administrator Cole Bockelmann, Humboldt Parks Superintendent Clayton Vorland, ISG Project Manager Nicholas Frederiksen and ISG Civil Engineer, Joey Whitehouse presented the supervisors with plats and an artists rendering of what the new Eagle Ridge Nature Trail will look like.
According to Frederiksen, planning for the trail began in 2017 when the application for the pedestrian bridge was submitted. The soft loop trail was submitted and accepted the next year. The project was approved for just under one million dollars in grants, covering most of the costs.

Thu
14
Mar

Moritorium for commercial wind systems in effect


Windmills like the ones seen in fields in nearby Kossuth and Webster counties will not be part of the Humboldt County landscape for the remainder of 2024, following action by the Humboldt County Supervisors earlier this year. Humboldt Independent file photo.

BY APRIL KELLEY
Many residents in Humboldt County are still reporting they are being contacted by sales representatives for wind energy systems even though the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors put a one-year freeze on any new energy systems as of Jan. 2.
Resolution 2024-01-07 which put in place a moratorium prohibiting Humboldt County Iowa from approving new commercial energy systems states in part:
Humboldt County Iowa is hereby prohibited from receiving, reviewing, considering, or approving any application of any Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems, Private Commercial Pipeline Transmission Systems, Commercial Solar Energy Systems and Commercial Electrical Energy Transmission Systems.
Supervisor Chair Dave Lee said, “I know the salespeople are out there beating on the doors and I have heard several people say they have been at their place.”

Thu
07
Mar

Correction to advertisement


Incorrect information was transferred to the Two Rivers Timber Ghosts advertisement on page 3 of this week's Humboldt Reminder. The correct information is printed here. The banquet will be this Saturday, March 9 at the Humboldt County Event Center with doors opening at 5 p.m., followed by a supper and a live auction at 7:30 p.m. Humboldt County Newspapers sincerely apologizes for the error.
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