January 2024

Thu
11
Jan

Compensation Board wants 9 percent raises; 12% for sheriff


County Attorney Jon Beaty (left) and County Sheriff Dean Kruger (right) are the two highest paid elected officials in the county. Beaty is currently making more than $120,000 and Kruger is just shy of $110,000. Humboldt Independent file photo.

BY APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Compensation Board met on Wednesday, Jan 3 in the Board of Supervisors Room to discuss salaries for elected officials.
The Compensation Board members along with the election officer that make the appointment are: Ashley Emick, Attorney; Dustin Scott, Auditor; Jean Bunz, Recorder; Brandon Dodgen, Sheriff; Jill Rhead, Supervisor; Donnell Skow, Supervisor; Dwight Bormann, Treasurer.
After much discussion, the board made the following recommendations.

Official Current Proposed
Attorney $120,116.03 $130,926.47
Auditor $71,727.04 $78,182.47
Recorder $71,727.04 $78,182.47
Sheriff $109,412.97 $122,542.53
Supervisors $38,325.22 $41,774.47
Treasurer $71,727.04 $78,182.47

Thu
11
Jan

Pep Band sounds a new note


Local school administrators were among the community members who joined the Humboldt High School Pep Band for their performance on Jan. 5 in the high school gym. Pictured, from left: Jessica Goodenow, assistant high school principal; Emily Wiebke, literary instructor; Travis Sprague (back), high school principal; Jim Murray (front), Humboldt school superintendent; and Sara Bormann, St. Mary Catholic School Principal. Independent photo by Jaynee Depue.

The Humboldt High School Pep Band was joined by community members for their performance on Jan. 5 at the home basketball doubleheader. Independent photo by Jaynee Depue.

By JAYNEE DEPUE
“Hey, hey baby! I wanna know…” about the new tradition within the Humboldt High School Pep Band.
A new spin on Humboldt’s pep band sparked last Friday night (Jan. 5) during the doubleheader basketball game between the hometown Wildcats and visiting Webster City.
Community members, young and old, were asked to join the band to play and revel in the joys of pep band.
To read the full story subscribe to the Humboldt Independent by clicking on the subscribe link at the top of this page, or pick up you copy on the newsstands today!

Editor's note: Jaynee Depue is a senior at Humboldt High School and is submitting articles and photos for the enjoyment of our Humboldt Independent readers.

Thu
11
Jan

Monday Caucuses for Democrats and Republicans


The 2024 Republican and Democratic caucuses will be Monday, Jan. 15, beginning at 7 p.m. The Republican Caucus for the county will be at the Humboldt County Events Center at the fairgrounds. Humboldt County Democrats will meet at Taft Elementary School. People who are not registered with the party may do so at caucus night. Doors will open for the Republican Caucus at 5:30 p.m. and for Democratic Caucus at 6:30 p.m.

Humboldt County Democrats will caucus on Monday, Jan. 15, at Taft Elementary School, 612 2nd Ave. North in Humboldt. The caucus starts at 7 p.m. with doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The purpose of this year’s caucus is to:
1. Discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to be added to the county platform.
2. Elect unbound delegates and alternates to the County Convention.
3. Elect precinct committeepersons to the County Central Committee.
The precinct caucus is a great way to get involved in grassroots activities with the Iowa Democratic Party. All Iowa Democrats are encouraged to attend. If you are an Independent voter or simply unsure of your party affiliation, you can register as a Democrat at your precinct caucus.
Please call Joe Hadar at (515) 890-1586 if you have any questions.

Thu
11
Jan
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10
Jan
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10
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Tue
09
Jan

FD Police seek help in finding person of interest


David Dayton

The Fort Dodge Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a person of interest in the shooting death of Ryan R. Andrews on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, that is now being labeled a homicide.
Investigators are looking for 37‐year‐old David S. Dayton of Fort Dodge for questioning in the homicide. Mr. Dayton is described as 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 235 pounds, with blue eyes, and short brown hair. Mr. Dayton is currently wanted out of Pocahontas County for a parole violation on an original charge of drug abuse violation.

Sat
06
Jan

Robinson, Harris and Weydert 1st for HHS girls at Clear Lake


Humboldt's Brooklyn Robinson pins her opponent during the Michelle Jensen Memorial Wrestling Tournament in Humboldt on Dec. 11. Independent photo.

Humboldt got first-place finishes from Claire Weydert at 135, Sophia Harris at 110 and Brooklyn Robinson at 235 to lead the Wildcat girls' wrestling team at the Clear Lake tournament Friday night, Jan. 19. It was the unofficial North Central Conference tournament. Algona won with 193 points, followed by Humboldt at 153, Clear Lake at 150 and Iowa Falls-Alden with 58.

The Wildcats will compete in the Mason City tournament on Saturday, Jan. 20. Gracie Lyon was second at 125, along with Brooklyn Kunert at 135 and Elsie Hubbell at 155.

Robinson 2nd for HHS girls in Ogden tournament
Humboldt 235-pounder Brooklyn Robinson placed runner-up in the Ogden tournament on Saturday, Jan. 6. Robinson went 2-1 on the day as Humboldt placed ninth out of 25 schools.

The Wildcats also had Claire Weydert place 3rd at 130 and Danica Diedrick take fourth at 170.

Fri
05
Jan

Humboldt boys move to 8-1 in duals, place 5th at Atlantic


Humboldt's Owen Mayall battles for position in a 120-pound match last month in the Humboldt gym. Independent photo.

Humboldt's varsity boys' wrestling team moved to 8-1 on the season in duals by going 3-0 at Clear Lake on Jan. 4.

Humboldt defeated Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (59-18), Clear Lake (57-15) and Roland-Story (54-19). Humboldt is 4-1 in the North Central Conference.

The Wildcats placed fifth in the Rollin Dyer Invitational at Atlantic on Jan. 6. Gaige Allen led the Wildcats by placing second at 190 pounds. Landon Halverson was third at 175, along with Cyler Cirks at 132 and Jaxson Kirchhoff at 144. Tyce Clarken was fourth at 126 and Broedy Hendricks fifth at 165. Aden Prenger was eighth at 113, as was Ethan Kunert at 215.

The Wildcats will compete in the conference tournament at Clear Lake on Saturday, Jan. 20. Humboldt will host a quad on Jan. 25 which includes Perry, West Marshall and Gilbert.

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

Fri
05
Jan

Wildcat girls, boys run past Lynx


Humboldt's Elliot Carlson slices through the lane for a layup in varsity boys' basketball action in the Humboldt gym last month. Independent photo.

Humboldt's varsity girls and boys basketball teams rolled to a pair of conference victories over the Webster City Lynx Friday night, Jan. 5 in the Humboldt gym.

The girls posted a 77-55 victory over the Lynx to move their season record to 9-3, 5-1 in conference play. Morgan Mann scored 31 points, Ava Fischer had 19 and Paige Nelson made 11 to lead Humboldt. Webster City (0-11, 0-6) was led by Marissa Hedeen with 13 and Alivia Burns with 12.

Evan Hatcher scored 23 points, Coen Matson 20 and Elliot Carlson 18 to power the Wildcat boys past the Lynx, 83-58. Corey Dettmann also had 13 for Humboldt, which moved to 7-2 overall, 4-1 in the NCC. Webster City (1-6, 1-3) was led by Briar Klaver with 21 points. Braden Doering had 16.

The Wildcats travel to Fort Dodge St. Edmond on Jan. 19. Humboldt hosts Algona on Jan. 23. Humboldt will travel to Clear Lake on Monday, Jan. 22, for a game rescheduled twice due to inclement weather.

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