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August 2023

Wed
23
Aug

Wildcats will battle in wide open district race

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 4:37pm

Humboldt's returning letter winners, front row (l-r): Mason Van Pelt, Gaige Allen, Corey Dettmann and Coen Matson. Middle row: Peyton Pedersen, Keegan Groat, Lance Coon, Grant Dieleman and Cael Newell. Back row: Landon Halverson, Mason Brown, Jackson Dodd and Keegan Rasmussen. Not pictured, Parker Sleiter. Independent photo.

Humboldt returns 14 lettermen

Humboldt sixth-year head football coach Derrick Elman knows he’ll be hard-pressed to repeat the success of the last two seasons where the Wildcats won the Class 3A District 2 title and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs.

Humboldt was a combined 21-3 in 2021 and 2022. While graduation losses were heavy, the Wildcats set a standard that the 2023 squad is eager to embrace the challenge ahead.

“When you lose 21 seniors like we did last year, 19 the year before, when you lose that many kids over a two-year period, and a lot of those kids had major roles on the team, it leaves a lot of question marks,” Elman said.

Wed
23
Aug

Humboldt volleyball will build around 8 letter winners

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 4:28pm

Returning letter winners for the Humboldt volleyball team, front row (l-r): Morgan Mann, Sami Varangkounh, Tayla Wempen, Ella Olson and Macey Varangkounh. Back row: Alivia Goodell, Ashlynn Works, Larsen Bonnstetter, Mia Schluter and Ava Fischer. Independent photo.

Led by the return of eight letterwinners, first-year head volleyball coach Ashlyn Clark and her Humboldt Wildcats enter the new season with high hopes.

Clark inherits a squad that posted an overall record of 19-13 in 2022 and finished 6-1 and runner-up in the North Central Conference.

“Pre-season practices have been going well. We had really good numbers during the off-season and also in camp, with about 25 to 30 girls participating. It’s good to see all the numbers and competition as we prepare for the new season,” Clark said

“The girls have been working hard and so we’re trying to mix and match to see how all the pieces of the puzzle are going to fit as we begin the season and figure out our rotation,” Clark said.

“We’re going to make mistakes early but the emphasis is for all of us to continue to grow as we move through the schedule,” Clark said.

Wed
23
Aug

Winter, Elizondo eye big seasons at FD

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 3:49pm

Emma Winter (left) and Catalina Elizondo eye big seasons on the Fort Dodge High swim team this fall. Independent photo.

By Phil Monson

Humboldt High students Emma Winter and Catalina Elizondo exemplify the makeup of the Fort Dodge High girls’ swim team, which has high expectations this fall.

The squad returns several talented performers from last year’s youthful squad, which made big strides. Winter, a senior, and Elizondo, a sophomore, are part of that group.

“All of my seniors were named captains for this year so Emma will be a leader for the team. I’m looking forward to her stepping up and being a positive leader for us,” Head coach Ashley Beaumont said.

“Catalina showed us last year that she is a very versatile swimmer who can do anything. She is someone I can count on to fill holes in our lineup and compete to a high level,” Beaumont said.

Their season opener is Sept. 7 against Des Moines Roosevelt.

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

Wed
23
Aug

August 23, 2023

Mon
21
Aug

Gilbert rallies past Humboldt in volleyball opener, 3-2

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 11:19am

Humboldt senior Ashlynn Works jams the ball past a Gilbert defender in the Wildcats' season opener on Aug. 22 in Humboldt. Independent photo by Phil Monson.

The Gilbert Tigers rallied from a 2-1 match score to defeat the Humboldt volleyball team in five sets Tuesday night (Aug. 22) in the Humboldt gym.

The non-conference season opener saw the Tigers win the first set, 25-21. Humboldt came back to take the second and third sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-21. Gilbert won the fourth set, 25-14, and sealed the win with a 15-9 victor over Humboldt in the fifth and deciding set.

Tayla Wempen made 10 kills at the net to pace the Wildcats.

Humboldt will host its own invitational on Saturday, Aug. 24, starting at 9 a.m.

See the fall preview on all of the Wildcat sports teams in this week's Independent. Subscribe today for print/digital access by selecting the link on this page to get started!

Sun
20
Aug

Elle Clark wins State Fair Talent Search!

Submitted by admin on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 6:01pm

Bill Riley Jr. poses with Elle Clark of Humboldt, winner of the 2023 Bill Riley Talent Search competition at the Iowa State Fair last Sunday. Photo courtesy of Greg Wickett.

By KENT THOMPSON
“It was so awesome. Everyone was smiling. One guy was giving me a standing ovation during the middle of my song. To see my family and friends there and the judges. It was just a very proud moment, unlike any other,” Elle Clark said.
That was her reaction to being crowned champion of the Bill Riley Talent Search Senior Division Sunday on the Anne and Bill Riley stage at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
“I was not expecting it at all,” Clark said of Sunday’s win. “None of us knew what places we got until they announced it, so it was pretty shocking. They had to push me on stage because I couldn’t believe what they said!”
For the victory she received a huge loving cup trophy and a cash award of $10,000. She will be using the money to pay for college expenses.
Read more about the experience and Elle's future plans in this week's Humboldt Independent.

Fri
18
Aug

GLENNIS RUTH HOUSEMAN

Submitted by admin on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 12:22pm

Glennis Ruth Houseman died peacefully Jan. 20, 2023, at the age of 100, at Watercrest Senior Living Center in Lady Lake, FL.

Thu
17
Aug

Local districts welcome 16 new teachers

Submitted by admin on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 4:01pm

New staff members in the Humboldt and Twin Rivers School districts this fall, front row (l-r): Tom Nostrom, Cole Goodenow and Shelby Curry. Middle row: Claire Vento, Lauren Odland, Sara Bruening, Heather Johnson, Jordan Kastler and Alex McDougall. Back row: Emilee Moranville, Jared Knapp, Joe Plane, Theo Vardaxis, Katie Rinnman Joel Hoogland. Not pictured, Emily Willadsen. Independent photo by Phil Monson.

By PHIL MONSON
Humboldt and Twin Rivers welcomed new teaching staff this week as they prepare for the start of the new school year, which begins on Aug. 25.
A total of 16 new teachers are set to begin the new year. Listed below is information provided to the Independent by each new staff member on orientation day.
Read brief biographies on all the new instructors, appear in this week's Humboldt Independent. School starts at most area districts on Thursday, Aug. 24.
Subscribe to the Humboldt Independent and access this exclusive content. It's easy, just click on the subscribe link at the top of this page and read what you are missing.

Thu
17
Aug

County seeks grants for traffic safety

Submitted by admin on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 3:50pm

Massive concrete beams are going in the ground for the new bridge being constructed in Section 32 of Beaver Township on Lone Tree Road. On Monday, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a $124,756.80 payment to the contractor, Dixon Construction of Correctionville. The total project is slated to cost just under $765,000 and is on schedule to be completed later this fall. Photo courtesy of Humboldt County Engineer’s Office.

By APRIL KELLEY
Humboldt County Engineer Ben Loots was the main part of Monday's meeting of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. Loots presented the Board with a resolution to apply for grant-funding for 15 flashing red beacons on stop signs in the county, through the Traffic Safety Improvement Program.
Loots gave the board a map of the locations he would like to place the beacons.
“The 15 beacons will be at any intersection where we’ve had fatalities or major injuries,” Loots said.
He mentioned several such as the intersections of 230th Street and Lone Tree Road, Iowa Avenue and 200th Street by Rutland, Delaware Avenue and 110th Street By Ottosen and 170th Street and County K Road.
Read more about this story and other county school and government matters in this week's Humboldt Independent, your trusted source for local news and sports.

Thu
17
Aug

New staffers at Humboldt Newspapers

Submitted by admin on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 3:36pm

April Kelley (left) and Heather Dahl (right) are new additions to the Humboldt County Newspapers staff, April in reporting and writing and Heather in advertising sales and promotions. Humboldt Independent photo.

Humboldt County Newspapers is pleased to announce two new staff members at the newspaper. April Kelley is writing news and feature stories and taking photos. She has a variety of professional experience and provided some freelance articles for the Humboldt Independent back in 2003-04. She has also spent time as a social worker, medical assistant, store clerk and animal control specialist. She said she is super excited to conduct interviews and write stories and take photographs for a full-time profession. If people have a news story waiting to be told, contact April Kelley at (515) 332-2514 or: april@humboldtnews.com.

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