News

Elsie Hubbell was crowned queen and Landon Vik at the Humboldt High School Homecoming coronation ceremony held in the high school gymnasium on Thursday night, Oct. 3.

The entire royalty will be recognized at halftime of Friday night’s football game.

Nathan Nickless has been arrested at his home on drug and weapons charges. He has been transported by the United States Marshals Service to Sioux City to be held until his initial appearance. Also arrested in the raid was Jessica Nelson, 42 of Dakota City on charges of accessory after the fact and interference with official acts.

By PHIL MONSON

For over nearly 46 years, Jim Anderson has done nothing but show up for work every day at Hy-Vee Food Store in Humboldt, do his work in the produce department and greet the public when they entered the store.

But in those nearly 46 years, Anderson has touched a lot of lives and dedicated his life to the company. For those reasons, among others, Anderson last week received Hy-Vee’s highest honor when he was awarded the Richard N. Jurgens Legendary Customer Service Award.

A large crowd of community members, family members, co-workers past and present, along with members of the Hy-Vee corporate office, converged on Humboldt last Friday, Sept. 27, for a surprise ceremony to give Anderson the award.

Store manager Roger Townsend took Anderson out of the building early in the afternoon for about 30 minutes for everyone to arrive. When Townsend and Anderson returned to the store around 1:30 p.m. and entered the building, Anderson was in awe.

Kelly's Food Stand opened in July

By PHIL MONSON
On a recent sun-splashed summer day, Kelly Potratz was inside her food stand, quickly dishing up meals for a small line of people waiting outside.

Potratz has only been open for two months but has already developed a clientele.

“I love to cook,” said Potratz, whose food stand is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Her business, Kelly’s Food Stand, is located at the corner of Highway 169 and Wildcat Road, on the same location as her husband’s business, Dean’s Used Cars.

Kelly and Dean Potratz have been married three years. She’s been in Iowa for five years. She was born and raised in Kansas City, KS.

“It’s been nice to be able to do this. Business is picking up. There was a time when I would get upset if no one would show up. Some days would be good and some days wouldn’t be so good. Some of those days were very, very hot and nobody wants to sit outside in the heat and eat,” Potratz said.

By APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors dealt with both the wind and water at their regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.

Merlin Bartz, Iowa County Outreach Manager with Invenergy, Chicago, a wind energy company introduced himself to the Supervisors.

Bartz will be working on a project that spans over Webster, Hamilton and Wright Counties and may also include Humboldt.

Supervisor Bruce Reimers questioned Bartz on the number of wind turbines they are wanting to place in Humboldt County.

"The truthful answer is wind energy is best utilized where the resources are. Frankly if you look at a department of energy map, particularly in Iowa, the best wind resources basically start in New Albin in the far northeast corner and go to Hamburg in the far southwest corner and everything that is northwest of that line,” Barts said.

He stated that it just depends on how many a county wants to have.

By APRIL KELLEY
The fate of the Reasoner and Rutland dams was decided at the Wednesday’s Sept. 18 meeting of the Humboldt County Conservation Board.

After just over a half hour discussion between the Humboldt County Conservation Board and the River Development Group, (RDG) the Board made the motion to “Deny any further discussion involving the dam and to have our director move forward with contacting an engineering company for Alternative 2 for both dams with the option of removal on both.”

The motion passed four to one with Will Spellmeyer being the lone dissenter.

The Conservation Board members stated that removing the dam would mean that those who are north and west of dam would be out of the flood plane saving those homeowners from having to buy flood insurance. A saving of $1,500 to $2,000 per year. It was then decided to motion for the Conservation Board continue with Alternative 2 or removal.

Brief Recap of the Stantec report:

A Humboldt woman has died following a motorcycle/car accident which occurred on Saturday, Sept. 21 at approximately 8:12 p.m.

According to the crash report from the Iowa State Patrol, Reggie Clark, 56, of Humboldt, was northbound on Highway 169 driving a 2017 Toyota Carolla, and pulled into the left lane to make a left-hand turn at 1731 Lincoln Avenue.

Clark then hit Angela Zeigler, 40, of Humboldt, who was traveling southbound on Highway 169 driving a 2000 Suzuki Sport Bike head-on.

Zeigler was pronounced dead at the scene. The report does not state any injuries to Clark.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Humboldt EMS, Humboldt Fire Department, Medical Examiner’s Office, and Jergen’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

By APRIL KELLEY

The Humboldt County Conservation Board voted four to one to pursue Stantec Option 2 or removal of both the Reasoner and Rutland Dams.

The Board made their decision after a lengthy discussion with spokesman Gary Jensen and members of the River Development Group (RDG).

The Board had placed a deadline for Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. for the RDG to purchase the Reasoner Dam. The RDG had problems obtaining insurance on the Reasoner Dam which was required according to the purchase agreement.

The Conservation Board will now contact engineering firms to begin the process of pursuing Option 2, which is lowering the dam crest, creating a rock ramp structure below and sediment stabilization.

Check out the Sept. 26 edition of the Independent for a more complete account of the Humboldt Conservation Board Meeting.

Homecoming is right around the corner, the football team is gearing up for their homecoming game against Charles City on Oct. 4, the homecoming court has been chosen and the themes for spirit week have been selected!

Here are your 2024 Homecoming Spirit Days;

Sept. 30 - 'Merica Monday - It's great to be an American!

Oct. 1 - BBQ Dad and Soccer Mom Tuesday - Summer vibes only, please!

Oct. 2 - White Collar or Blue Collar Wednesday - Hard working wildcat alert!

Oct. 3 - Generation Day Thursday (12th Grade - Senior Citizen, 11th Grade - Parents/Adults, 10th Grade - Dress Yourself Elementary Kiddo, 9th Grade - Babies)
The Homecoming Parade is on Thursday, Oct. 3 @ 6:00 p.m. Coronation to follow @ 7:30 p.m. in the High School Gym.

Oct. 4 - Blue and Gold Friday
Varsity Homecoming Game Oct. 4 @ 7:00 p.m. on The Mason March Field

Prizes go to the best dressed each day! Go, Big Blue!

By KYLIE PORTZ

The Humboldt Community School District met for their regular meeting on Sept. 16 to hear administrator reports from the middle school and to recognize Lucinda Boyd for her life-saving action during a choking incident at Taft Elementary School. Board President Tate Satern read the nomination letter for Boyd to receive the Champion for Children Award.

He said, “tonight is our pleasure to recognize Lucinda Boyd. On Sept. 6, there was a student experiencing a choking episode in the Taft lunchroom. Lucinda handled this situation as well as she possibly could by asking two other students to run to the office for help. She then applied the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the blockage, Lucinda stayed calm in a very stressful situation, and the result was as positive as it could have been in the situation.”