News

Several improvements are getting completed just in time for the 2019 Humboldt County Fair, which is July 23-29.
The 4-H Food Stand is being expanded and renovated by Jim Gronbach Construction with the financial support of Humboldt County 4-H Clubs. The 4-H Food Stand is located just south of the new showring at the fairgrounds and offers a variety of food choices throughout the Humboldt County Fair.
There’s a 16’ by 24’ addition to the inside seating area, plus an 8’ by 16’ storage area addition and a 10’ by 20’ lean to roof canopy on the northwest corner for grilling.
The kitchen area is being expanded and serving will be more efficient. There will be an entrance door and an exit door, both on the south side of the building. There will be an order station where people can fill out a meal ticket, then proceed to the cash register and the wait counter to pick up their food.

By KENT THOMPSON
Following 70 minutes of presentations, the Humboldt County Conference Board held a 40-minute closed session conference with Humboldt County Assessor Linda Fallesen, but took no action to reprimand or relieve the longtime county assessor of her duties.
The Conference Board meeting took place on Thursday, July 11 in the district courtroom at the Humboldt County Courthouse in Dakota City.
At issue is a 2017 assessment and subsequent ruling by the Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB). The property was a machine shed/storage unit constructed at 1006 1st Ave. N. in Humboldt. The storage structure was constructed at the direction of JD Myers of Humboldt. Myers asked that the Conference Board review Fallesen’s performance and relieve her of the duties of county assessor, claiming malfeasance, nonfeasance or misfeasance in office, dereliction of duty and not being forthright with members of the public.

By Phil Monson
Jeff Herzberg says mental health is in a state of crises and now is the time to start doing something about it.
Herzberg, who leads the Prairie Lakes AEA and also serves as superintendent of the Gilmore City-Bradgate School District, has teamed up with others statewide to create an affiliation with NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
“There are about six statewide groups around the state but there is a void in our area. I’ve teamed up with six others to get something established in our region,” Herzberg said.
“To kick this off we are going to hold a community meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Former Iowa State University basketball standout Royce White will be our guest speaker,” Herzberg said.
“Royce will sign autographs at 5:30 p.m. and give his presentation at 6 p.m. It will take place in the Fort Dodge Senior High Little Theater,” Herzberg said.

By KENT THOMPSON
Iowa senior Sen. Charles Grassley is encouraged that momentum on trade issues are moving in a positive direction, which is good news for Iowa farmers and small business manufacturers.
Grassley made a brief visit to Humboldt Wednesday, July 3 where he met with company officials and employees of Jet Company, a locally owned and operated manufacturer of trailers for agricultural and commercial applications.
Grassley answered questions from employees and others after a tour of the plant.
He talked about his staff members, how he receives information and about his reason for running for office in the first place.
Grassley said he was encouraged that after he and other leaders met with President Trump, the aluminum and steel tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico were lifted.

By KIRK HUNDERTMARK
Team Livermore, Barney’s Tavern and the City of Livermore have been preparing for the upcoming Livermore Daze celebration by cleaning the streets and painting new yellow lines. Summertime in Iowa just brings out the music in people, with good music brings the people to Livermore.
Entering their 19th year as a driving force in the Iowa music scene, Standing Hampton has expanded and updated their repertoire and talent pool and proudly present a six-piece power pop and rock ensemble that draws on even more vocal and performance firepower and flair to deliver a show above and beyond expectations. They take the stage Saturday, July 20 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Friday evening, July 19, at 6 p.m., opens with the Clark Brothers Co-ed Slow-pitch Softball Tournament. The games will be timed with four women on the field per team. There will be a $100 per team entry fee and the games will be played on the Dallas Clark Ball Field.

By KENT THOMPSON
Every year the Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240 and VFW Auxiliary sponsor a patriotic essay and art contest.
Now, through the help of a Dakota City veteran, an injured Iraqi war veteran and local students, the VFW Hall has some patriotic art of its own, on 5th Street South, for all the world to see.
Dakota City veteran Richard Houston came up with the idea as a way to honor veterans and Americans. A 29-year Army veteran, Richard said it is an honor for him to lend some artistic endeavor for the community. “This is for everyone who went (to war) and for those who didn’t come back. I did this for Dakota City and Humboldt to enjoy.”
Read the full story of the project in this week's Humboldt Independent. Happy birthday America, land of the free and home of the brave!

By Phil Monson
Ashlyn Clark is in a fight for her life but for four hours last Thursday (June 27) night, the Humboldt teen and her family put their worries aside and experienced an overwhelming amount of love and support from the community.
Clark has been battling Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma for the past eight weeks, but for a few hours, she got to be a teen again as a large crowd came out to support her and her family on 'Ashlyn's Night at the Ballpark'.
The event, hosted by the Humboldt High softball team, included a meal, an auction and many family activities and the main event of the night, a celebrity slow pitch softball game between former Iowa and Iowa State University football players.
“It is absolutely spectacular to see everybody coming here tonight. Having the line of people go so far…it is so indescribable for me,” said Clark, showing her emotion through her voice and tears.

Humboldt’s baseball and softball teams now have a connection to the Minnesota Vikings NFL football team.
Batting cages for both teams now sport turf from US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Baseball coach Jason Thurm received an email that said the Vikings were replacing their turf and were looking to sell the old artificial turf at a discounted per square foot price.
“I thought it might be a good deal for us,” Coach Thurm said. He forwarded the email on to Activities Director Greg Thomas.
Two rolls of turf were purchased for 95 cents a square foot. One roll was used for the softball batting cage and one for the new baseball batting cage. The turf, concrete work and cage is being paid for by the Humboldt Athletic Boosters.
Read the full story in this week's Humboldt Independent newspaper.

There will be several activities to celebrate the 4th of July in Humboldt next week.
Activities will kick off with the Farmer’s Market in Bicknell Park on Wednesday, July 3, from 4-7 p.m. There are new vendors and new produce and products and something different every week. Saturday Farmer’s Markets run from 8 a.m. to noon at Bicknell Park. There will be one on Saturday, July 6.
Independence Day will begin in a patriotic and fit way with the Run White and Blue 10k and 5k walk/runs beginning on Sumner Avenue at US Bank. The walk/run can be competitive or recreational leisure. Dogs on leashes and youth in strollers are welcome if accompanied by their owners.
All of the proceeds go to the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight veterans in Humboldt County wanting to go to Washington, D.C. Six Humboldt County vets have signed up for the next flight, which leaves Saturday, Sept. 21. More may sign up.

By KENT THOMPSON
The Humboldt County Relay for Life annually includes more people, as more individuals and families are impacted by cancer and feel the need to lend their physical, mental, emotional and financial support to combat this deadly disease.
The Relay for Life celebrates the success stories and revels in the shared experience of coming together for a life-saving cause.
This year’s activities will begin with the pre-registration of teams and survivors beginning at 5:30 p.m. MoJo Productions will be providing musical entertainment.
The opening celebration ceremony, prayer, presentation of colors and National Anthem will begin at 6 p.m.
The survivor ceremony and victory lap will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Humboldt High School track at Mason Maach Field. It will be followed by the caregivers’ lap and then a lap by the teams participating.