September 2026

By PHIL MONSON

Humboldt’s varsity girls’ volleyball team suffered their first loss of the season as they placed runner-up in the power-laden Dike-New Hartford tournament last Saturday, Sept. 19.

Humboldt, now 20-1 overall on the season, lost in the championship match to host DNH by scores of 25-21, 21-25 and 11-15. DNH, ranked sixth in Class 3A, improved to 14-5 overall.

Humboldt head coach Kara Waldorf, in her fourth season leading the Wildcats overall, won her 100th career match during the tournament. Her career won-loss record is now 101-28, 25-1 in conference play.

“The girls played great today. We got everyone’s best effort and we battled and never gave up. It was physically and mentally draining and we just came up short in the championship match, but we battled hard,” Waldorf said.

By APRIL KELLEY
The following article contains information from two Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meetings due to the holiday and printing deadlines.

September 8 meeting
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

During the meeting, Alison Hauser, Crisis Liaison with Rolling Hills Community Services Region, presented her report to wrap up the first fiscal year of her grant.

Hauser reported that she served 189 people in Humboldt and Pocahontas counties.

She explained that she uses what is called the intercept model which means they initially receive referrals from anyone, not just law enforcement, to assist people who may be in crisis.

The next level is working with law enforcement, which does provide about 70% of her referrals.

The third level is through the jails and helping with the initial appearance at the courthouse.

By APRIL KELLEY
The Public Safety Commission heard about further updates from interim Dispatch Supervisor Nikole Bennett.

The commission approved the appointment of Nikole Bennett as the Dispatch Communications Officer at the rate of $65,000 per year annual salary, exempt.

Bennett will work in dispatch less than 20 hours per week and will work in the supervisory role the majority of the time. The Commission will work with Mike Galloway, Iowa Employment & Labor Law Attorney.

At the same time, Erin Bennett was removed as Assistant Dispatch Supervisor by a unanimous vote as Nikole Bennett is now established in her role.

The Commission also voted to remove Kyle Bissell as Dispatch Administrator.

“I think that is going to change and go to Nikole as communications officer. The duties will just be part of that role,” Shawna Crahan, Deputy Auditor and payroll/HR Administrator, said.

The Fort Dodge High girls’ swim team, which has six athletes from Humboldt, lost to Des Moines Lincoln in a home meet on Sept. 8, 100-75.

Humboldt’s Adelyn Meyer, Embree Meyer, Morgan Townsend, Ellen Townsend, Danica Diedrick and Amelia Winter all saw action in the meet.

In another home meet on Sept. 10, Fort Dodge defeated Algona (48-45) and lost to Sioux City Metro (66-28). Amelia Winter wasn’t able to compete due to an ankle injury.

The Dodger swimmers will the Gary Winkler Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Humboldt Results Sept. 10

Adelyn Meyer: 7th in JV 50-yard freestyle in 37.8 seconds. Swam 2nd leg of 5th place varsity 200-yard freestyle relay (2:27.14). 6th in varsity 100-yard backstroke (1:34.36). Swam 2nd leg of 1st place JV 400-yard freestyle relay (5:26.29).

Morgan Townsend: 5th in JV 50-yard freestyle in 35.26. Swam 2nd leg of 1st place JV 200-yard freestyle relay (2:34.06). 3rd in JV 100-yard breaststroke (1:50.25).