News

A water boil advisory has been issued for all residents in the city of Renwick. The order is in effect from today (Friday, Sept. 14) until Wednesday, Sept. 19.
The city is undergoing a water system project and there was a water main break, necessitating the boil order.
Bottled water or boiled water should be used for drinking or cooking.
Tap water may be used for bathing or other similar purposes.
People with questions may contact Renwick City Hall at (515) 824-3511.
Renwick Fastway, 101 York Ave., has bottled water for citizens who need it.

By PHIL MONSON
Joe Wood of Humboldt recalls dealing with eyesight challenges as a youth growing up in Arkansas.
Those challenges continued into adulthood and today, at age 84, Wood is dealing with losing his eyesight altogether.
Last week Wood donated $25,000 to the Humboldt School District to provide resources for the school to help students deal with any obstacle dealing with sight challenges.
“I want it to be for the kids who have problems dealing with eyesight. Maybe it can eliminate some of the problems I had in my life,” Wood said.
Humboldt School Superintendent Greg Darling said school officials are greatly appreciative of the donation made by Wood, which was also given in memory of his late wife, LaVonne.
“This funding will help the school out but also help some students who may not have the accessibility of getting aid from the Lions Club or some other entity that helps with eyesight,” Darling said.

By KENT THOMPSON
A growing elementary center with more students and more classes demanded a fix.
What has resulted is a new and enhanced Taft Elementary School building project.
Construction began in the spring of 2017, to add a horizontal addition to the Taft Building, utilizing the courtyard and small play area on the northeast corner of the building.
“This addition has been part of our facility planning that has taken place in recent years,” Humboldt Superintendent of Schools Greg Darling told the Board of Education.
“It’s exciting,” Taft Elementary Principal George Bruder said of the new changes. “Teachers and students are very enthused and proud of the improvements that have been made to the building.”
Members of the public are invited to a Taft Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 4-6 p.m. See the new addition and improvements.

By KENT THOMPSON
The Humboldt City Council has approved the creation of a recreation center manager for the city to operate and oversee the new Humboldt Recreation Center. The building is expected to be completed late this fall, and the position was budgeted for under the city’s 2018-19 budget. The person hired will be responsible for scheduling support staff and general operations of the facility.
The position is currently open and applications are available at Humboldt City Hall. The city is seeking candidates with a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation or a related field, and one year experience in the operation of a recreation/wellness center and recreation programs.
The person hired will be under the direction of Humboldt Recreation Director Chris Shaner. Read more about this story in this week's Humboldt Independent. Subscribe by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

The Humota Movie Group was very pleased with the turnout and financial support from the community during the Hot Dogs for the Humota fundraiser held Wednesday, Aug. 29.
The fundraiser, sponsored by the Humboldt/Dakota City Chamber of Commerce, raised $5,841.16 to keep the theatre operating.
There were about one dozen food stands offering hot dogs and other food items and drinks for a goodwill donation.
The winning hot dog stand for the best theme was CDTA and Computer Works and Vinyl Signs, who pulled their efforts for a Willy Wonka themed stand.

Humboldt native Bill Jorgensen is the new owner of the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home.
Jorgensen purchased the funeral home from Lincoln and Dawn Mason effective Sept. 1. Lincoln Mason said he plans to pursue other career opportunities. Lincoln’s father, Scott, purchased the funeral home in 1974 and Lincoln became the owner in 2000.
Jorgensen, a 1986 graduate of Humboldt High School, is the son of LeRoy and Jan Jorgensen of Humboldt. LeRoy works part-time at the funeral home. Bill grew up near the funeral home and he and Lincoln were childhood friends. Bill got his start in the funeral business at the age of 15 when he went to work for Scott Mason.
“Lincoln and I had the privilege of learning the funeral business from his dad. Scott taught us the right way to treat people,” Jorgensen said.

Jeffrey Lynn Winters, 60 of Livermore, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the death of Randy Merle Page, 54, of LuVerne.
The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities Monday night and throughout the day on Tuesday.
According to Kossuth County, a call was received at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27, from a LuVerne resident who said her husband was lying on the floor and was unresponsive.
That subject was identified as Page. He was found in a garage at the west end of Smart Street in LuVerne.
Winters is being held in the Kossuth County Jail on $2 million cash only bond. First degree murder is a class A felony, punishable by life in prison if found guilty.
The cause of death will be determined by autopsy results. Page’s body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny for an official autopsy.

The second fatal accident in less than a week occurred in Humboldt County late Sunday afternoon, Aug. 26. Both accidents claimed the lives of young women from Kossuth County.
A two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Humboldt County Road C-54 (270th Street) and County Road P-66 (Utah Avenue) claimed the life of 17-year-old Olivia Rae Bachman of Whittemore. The accident occurred at 4:50 p.m. according to a report from the Iowa State Patrol.
According to the report, the 2008 Pontiac Torrent sport utility vehicle Bachman was driving was westbound on County Road C-54, and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with P-66.
A 2010 Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle driven by Paul R. Doster, 64, of Algona, was traveling north on P-66 when it struck Bachman’s Pontiac broadside.

Fareway Stores will be hosting a fundraiser for Meals from the Heartland on Friday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Farm Bureau will be grilling hamburgers and the meal will also include chips and a soda. There will be a freewill donation with proceeds used to package meals at the ninth annual event at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt on March 15-16, 2019.