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October 2026

Tue
06
Oct

At 'The Heart of Play' in Humboldt

Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/06/2026 - 3:43pm

Allie Wirtz, Emily Lane, Nolan Vitzthum, Brittany Allen and Caitlyn Holm show off one of the offices where sessions are held. Comfortable seating and lighting create a comfortable space to talk. A sound-masking machine in the hall keeps conversations private in the rooms.

By APRIL KELLEY
As acceptance of mental health issues and the treatment for them slowly increases, the need for therapists increases as well.

Nolan Vitzthum, a Licensed Independent Social Worker who is a Registered Play Therapist and a Certified EMDR Therapist, could see that need in her community in Wyoming.

“I was pregnant with my son when I started having a lot of conversations with my husband about what do I want my career to look like. I wanted opportunities to really balance motherhood with being a clinician,” Vitzthum said.

“I was actually approached by Veronica, somebody that I had worked with for the National Association of Social Workers, the Wyoming chapter. She was previously the executive director for NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Wyoming,” Vitzthum continued.

Veronica came to Vitzthum with a proposal of opening a private practice specializing in play therapy.

Tue
06
Oct

Taft Park curfew tops Humboldt council meeting

Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/06/2026 - 3:31pm

By PHIL MONSON
On Oct. 1, Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen read a proclamation stating no one under the age of 16 not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian is not allowed at Taft Park.

The emergency curfew is in place until Nov. 1. Any questions regarding the declaration should be directed to the Humboldt Police Department. The proclamation took place at a press conference held in front of city hall.

“We are asking the community to help us with Taft Park. There have been some incidents there in the last couple of weeks that are being handled through the normal legal process where we have apprehended or are investigating,” Humboldt Police Chief Jacob Miller at the press conference.

“We are asking for parents in the community to keep an eye on that particular park and see if they can help us stem any incidences that may occur,” Miller said.

Taft Park was the main topic of discussion at the council meeting held on Monday night, Oct. 5.

Fri
02
Oct

Algona too much for Humboldt, 42-14

Submitted by admin on Fri, 10/02/2026 - 10:24pm

Humboldt running back Jaxson Kirchhoff follows his lead blocker, Griffin Groat (54) for yardage in the Wildcats' 42-14 loss to Algona on Oct. 2 in Humboldt in a Class 3A District 1 football game. The loss dropped Humboldt to 0-6 overall, 0-2 in district play. They'll host MOC-Floyd Valley on Oct. 9. Independent photo by Phil Monson.

Humboldt hosts MOC-FV Friday

By PHIL MONSON
Anyone who has closely followed the Humboldt High football team this fall will easily tell you that this version of Wildcat football doesn’t quit.

Playing hard and playing with effort is always evident on the field. But just like life, sometimes things don’t go your way and that’s the case with the Wildcats as they now regroup from last week’s 42-14 home field loss to the Algona Bulldogs in a Class 3A District 1 contest.

The loss dropped Humboldt to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in district play. Humboldt has three games left in the regular season, two of which are at home. Algona improved to 3-2 and 2-0.

Fri
02
Oct

City issues emergency Taft Park curfew

Submitted by admin on Fri, 10/02/2026 - 9:43am

Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen (center) issued a declaration in front of City Hall on Friday, Oct. 2, stating all persons under the age of 16 at Taft Park must be accompanied by a parent or a legal adult. The declaration is good until Nov. 1. Pictured with Jensen, from left: officer Nick Nolting, city councilman John Sleiter and Humboldt Police Chief Jacob Miller. Independent photo by Phil Monson.

In an emergency declaration issued by Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, the city has declared all persons at Taft Park in Humboldt under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Mayor Jensen's statement: "Due to recent events occurring at Taft Park, I, Mayor Jensen, issue the following emergency declaration, All persons at Taft Park under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. This declaration is effective immediately, and is valid through November 1. Any questions regarding this declaration should be directed to the Humboldt Police Department by calling 515-332-2600."

Thu
01
Oct

Humboldt girls sweep Algona in 3 sets

Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/01/2026 - 8:36pm

Humboldt's Mollie Emick tips the ball over the net for the Wildcat volleyball team in a recent home match. Independent photo.

Coming off a rough and busy stretch of volleyball, Humboldt head coach Kara Waldorf and her Wildcats were looking to regain some of their spark.

Last week (Oct. 1) in the Algona gym, the Wildcats did just that with a convincing 3-0 victory over long-time rival Algona. Humboldt won by scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-13 to improve to 8-0 in the North Central Conference, 28-3 overall.

“We had a very busy month of volleyball in September which included some tough weekend tournaments. And we’ve had girls battling some illness and so it made it challenging for us,” Waldorf said.

“But the girls never quit and they kept on battling. That was so nice to see,” Waldorf said.

“We needed a win (3-0 sweep) like what we got tonight just to get some of that confidence back and show everyone we’re still a pretty good team,” Waldorf said.

Thu
01
Oct

Paint by Kelsey brings joy to Humboldt Downtown

Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/01/2026 - 2:21pm

Kelsey Olson shows off her design for the old Shell gas station in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

By KYLIE PORTZ
It started with a Facebook post. The Loot Loft, a local furniture shop, was looking for someone to paint their storefront window. With the help of a friend, the post made it to local artist Kelsey Olson's timeline.

Olson, who had never painted a window before, was up for the challenge.

Olson said, "That one window changed everything. After that, I started walking into local businesses and asking if they'd trust me to paint their windows. One business led to another, and before I knew it, my work was spreading throughout our community, and I have people reaching out from surrounding towns for me to travel to paint."

She said, "Window painting started as a fun, creative outlet, but it quickly turned into something more. It reminded me who I was outside of just being a "mom". Paint by Kelsey has really helped me rediscover that creative part of myself again."

Olson, a Humboldt native, found her love for creating in the art room.

Thu
01
Oct

October 1, 2026

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