January 2021

Thu
21
Jan

E. TIMOTHY COLWELL

E. TIMOTHY COLWELL, 68, formerly of Livermore, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, following a three week valiant battle against COVID-19.

Thu
21
Jan
Thu
21
Jan

Story Map offers residents chance to weigh in on dam/river


Humboldt County Conservation has had a long and abiding interest in the Des Moines River through the county and improvements to the Reasoner Dam in Humboldt. County Conservation, in conjunction with Mimi Wagner, Stantec senior environmental scientist and landscape architect, will be kicking off a new interactive story map on a website www.cutt.ly/reasoner which is kicking off this week. Humboldt Independent photo.

By KENT THOMPSON
Humboldt County Conservation has a fun and interactive way to begin a community dialogue about ways to reinvigorate Humboldt County’s water resources and ideas for creating a vision for the future.
It’s a StoryMap web page at www.cutt.ly/reasoner
The Conservation Board is exploring ways to improve the Reasoner Dam and the West Fork of the Des Moines River. To do that, an important first step is to collect all necessary information about the dam and its uses, and existing conditions regarding the dam and river watershed area.

Thu
21
Jan

Board approves COVID-19 employee leave and Mertz


The Humboldt Board of Education approved Jim Mertz of Humboldt as its newest member Monday night. Mertz replaces Kathy Yoakam, who resigned after taking part-time employment with the district.

By Phil Monson
The Humboldt School Board unanimously approved continuing to offer COVID-19 employee leave after action in their monthly meeting Monday night, Jan. 18.
Humboldt School Superintendent Jim Murray reported the federal program titled Families First Coronavirus Response Act had expired on Dec. 31, 2020. The board unanimously voted to continue it until May 31, 2021.
“When that act was in place, if someone tested positive for COVID-19, they would receive 10 days of leave or sick days, but it would not count toward their regular sick leave,” Murray said. “If they had a family member that they had to stay home and care for, or quarantine with, they would receive an additional 10 days.”

Thu
21
Jan

Petersens take over ownership of Humboldt Realty


Kevin and Paula Skow (left) have sold Humboldt Realty to Jayci and Ross Petersen (right) effective Jan. 1. Humboldt Independent photo.

Effective Jan. 1, Ross and Jayci Petersen became the new owners of Humboldt Realty. But the previous owners, Kevin and Paula Skow, will still be working as real estate agents for the agency.
The Skows purchased Humboldt Realty in 2005, and expanded to the current location at 606 Sumner Avenue in 2012 after an extensive remodeling project.
Four years ago, Ross Petersen called Humboldt Realty looking for some land on which to build a home. The Skows helped the Petersens sell their home and found them a new one within seven days. The Skows and Petersens found they both love to fix up homes and sell them.
The Petersens said they appreciate the team environment Kevin and Paula Skow have created.
“We’re excited for one another. It’s been awesome. We want to keep this team experience going,” Jayci said.

Wed
20
Jan

McDaniel steps down as head volleyball coach


Humboldt head volleyball coach Justin McDaniel, shown here during the 2019 season, is stepping down from his position as head coach of the Wildcats. Independent photo.

Justin McDaniel, who has served as head volleyball coach at Humboldt High School for a little over six seasons, has stepped down from his position.

McDaniel’s resignation was approved by the board of education in their regular monthly meeting Monday night, Jan. 18.

McDaniel has been involved with the program for a total of 21 years, most of which in the capacity as assistant coach.

He became head coach in the final two weeks of the 2014 season. Since that time, McDaniel has guided the Wildcats to conference championships in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
Most recently he guided Humboldt to the school’s first-ever state tournament trip at the end of the 2020 season. The Wildcats were sidelined in the first round by No. 1 seed and eventual state champion Osage.

Wed
20
Jan
Tue
19
Jan

Winter weather advisory for Humboldt County

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reports that there is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for North Central Iowa until 8 p.m. this evening (Jan. 19).
Blowing snow and icy roadways with winds gusting as high as 45 miles an hour are being reported this afternoon and continuing into the early evening hours. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility and hazardous conditions could impact this evening’s commute, the sheriff’s office reports.
They advise travelers to slow down and use caution. The Humboldt Community School District has announced that there will be no activities or practices today. Tonight's Webster City at Humboldt girls and boys basketball games have been postponed.

Mon
18
Jan

LEO F. GREBNER

LEO F. GREBNER, 78, of Humboldt, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. Those wishing to send online condolences can send them to www.masonlindhart.com and we will see that it gets to the family. Be sure to put the deceased’s name in the subject line.

Fri
15
Jan

Elman receives coaching honor


DERRICK ELMAN

Humboldt High head football coach Derrick Elman, who completed his third season at the helm last fall, has been named Class 3A Region 1 Coach of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association.

Elman also teaches fourth grade at Taft Elementary School in Humboldt.

See full story in the Humboldt Independent Newspaper. Subscribe today for print/digital access by selecting the link on this page to get started!

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