December 2021

Thu
16
Dec

School Board to move ahead with $10-$11 million in facility improvements


Bank Iowa donated $25 for each touchdown scored during home games by the Humboldt High School football team this season. Bank Iowa presented a check for $625 to the Humboldt Athletic Boosters. Travis Johnson and Amy Donahe are shown presenting the check to senior members of the Wildcat football team along with Coach Derrick Elman. Humboldt Independent photo.

By Phil Monson
After holding an in-depth, two and one-half hour work session on Dec. 7, the Humboldt School Board agreed to move forward on a district facilities improvement plan.
The board is expected to hire an architectural firm in their Dec. 20 regular monthly meeting, the first step as they look at spending up to $10 or $11 million in improvements.
Terry Allers of Allers Associates Architects in Fort Dodge was at last week’s work session, along with Joel Armitage and Chris Behrens of Sande Construction Company of Humboldt, to provide in-depth reports to the board on costs for the district to improve its overall facilities.
The district’s wide-ranging needs won’t make the board’s decisions any easier as they look to finalize the plan in the coming months. The list of options for improvements and additions is extensive. Read all about them in this week's Humboldt Independent, your trusted source for local news and sports.

Thu
16
Dec

Native sons return to lead collegiate schools


ISU head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser (left) and Purdue head mat coach Tony Ersland (right) will return to their home gym Sunday for a first-ever collegiate NCAA Division 1 wrestling dual in Humboldt.

By Phil Monson
Humboldt will take center stage in the wrestling world on Sunday, Dec. 19, when Purdue University and Iowa State compete in a college dual starting at 5 p.m.
The meet is already sold out due to an advanced ticket lottery system conducted two months ago. The public is welcome to attend the 1:30 p.m. high school dual between a pair of Class 2A powers in the Humboldt Wildcats and the Creston Panthers.
The gymnasium will be cleared out after the conclusion of the high school dual, per NCAA rules.
Iowa State and Purdue are a pair of up-and-coming programs led by Humboldt natives in Kevin Dresser and Tony Ersland.
Iowa State fifth-year head coach Kevin Dresser is a 1981 Humboldt High School graduate and two-time state high school champion and one-time national champion at the University of Iowa in 1986.

Wed
15
Dec
Tue
14
Dec

Humboldt boys hold off Algona, rip EG


Humboldt senior guard Trevor Jacobson drove the baseline for a layup in the Wildcats' 89-83 victory over Algona on Dec. 14 in Humboldt. Independent photo.

The Humboldt boys basketball team held off Algona, 89-83 in Humboldt Tuesday night (Dec. 14).

Will Orness scored 19 points, Caden Matson made 17 and Josh Thurm added 16. Jacob Heier and Carter Hatcher each had 12 in a balanced effort by the Wildcats.
Algona was led by Garrett Goche with 28 points. Tyler Manske made 23.

The Wildcats improved to 3-0 overall, 1-0 in conference play.

Humboldt visited Eagle Grove on Dec. 16 and rolled to a 61-26 victory to improve to 4-0 overall in a non-conference game with the Eagles. Kaleb McCullough scored 12 points and Will Orness made 11 to pace Humboldt. Josh Thurm had seven, Jacob Heier six and Trevor Jacobson and Ben Kuehnast each had five.

Humboldt travels to Fort Dodge St. Edmond on Friday, Dec. 17, to face the Gaels in NCC action.

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

Tue
14
Dec

Wildcat girls down Algona, Eagle Grove


Humboldt's Reagan Lee pulls down a rebound for the Wildcats in the first half of their victory over Algona on Dec. 14 in Humboldt. Independent photo.

Alexis Hansen scored 21 points and Morgan Mann had 11 to lead the Humboldt girls basketball team past Algona, 51-43 Tuesday night in Humboldt.

Humboldt improved to 3-2 overall, 2-0 in conference play.

The Wildcats visited Eagle Grove on Dec. 16 and rolled to a 54-17 triumph over the Eagles in non-conference play. Morgan Mann scored 20 points and Alexis Hansen added nine to pace the Wildcats, who moved to 4-2 overall.

Humboldt returns to action at Fort Dodge St. Edmond on Friday night, Dec. 17.

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

Mon
13
Dec

RICHARD KEEN

Richard (Dick) Keen 87, of Storm Lake, passed away on December 8, 2021 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community. Online condolences may be left at www.fratzkejensen.com.

Sat
11
Dec

Former businesses destroyed in Thor


Fire departments from Renwick, Humboldt, Eagle Grove, Goldfield, Vincent and Badger assisted the Thor Fire Department in battling flames coming out of two former businesses on Ann Street. Photo courtesy of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

By KENT THOMPSON
Two former cornerstone businesses in the eastern Humboldt County town of Thor are no longer.
An early Saturday morning fire destroyed the former Humboldt Trust and Savings Bank building on Ann Street. The one time mercantile goods store directed to the south also became fully engulfed.
The fire was reported at 12:23 a.m.
“A man came and pounded on my door. Guess he knew I was the fire chief. I couldn’t see it from my house, but when I turned the corner I could see flames rolling out of the back side of the old bank building,” Thor Fire Chief Kevin Olson said.
“The first thing I wanted to do was to get the fire trucks out,” said Olson. The Thor Fire Station is directly north of the old bank building that was on fire.

Fri
10
Dec

Candy Canes

The Humboldt Historic Preservation Commission, in an effort to add to the festivity of the season, has put forth the idea of hanging Candy Canes on the Christmas tree in Finch Park on Sumner Avenue. It is the Commission’s hope that anyone who wishes will help themselves to the candy hanging there. The Commission will be replenishing the canes as they are taken. Commission members pictured from left to right are: Susan Hett, Martha Schmidt, Terry Hart, Mary Carlson and Dennis Reed. “For the short and tall, come and call, the canes are there for all. Don’t stall and watch your step, don’t fall. Share the news with all, once you deck the hall. Happy Holidays, that’s all.”

Thu
09
Dec

Wildcat wrestlers move to 5-0 in duals


Humboldt's Zayn Feaster (top) works to put his opponent on his back in a recent middle weight bout for the Wildcat wrestlers. Independent photo.

The Humboldt wrestling team moved to 5-0 on the season in duals by beating Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (46-30) and Fort Dodge St. Edmond (69-18) Thursday night in Fort Dodge.

Humboldt travels to Leon on Friday for the Central Decatur tournament.

See full story in the Humboldt Independent for print or digital access by selecting the link on this page to get started.

Thu
09
Dec

Pages