News

By APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Conservation Board moved a few steps closer to selling the Reasoner Dam to the River Development Group (RDG) during their regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15.

Lee led the discussion with the fact that the insurance, which had been presented by the RDG at the last meeting, was determined to be sufficient to fulfill the requirements set out in original purchase agreement.

Now that insurance has been put in place, the next step is to work with the city on an easement to allow the RDG to get to the dam.

Working with ISG, they have survey data because of the bridge and trail project, at least for the west side of the dam. " They might also have stuff on the east side, too so that it would make it as cheap as it can be,” Lee said.

The cost will still be about $3,000 to provide the survey information and put the easement together.

By APRIL KELLEY
Fifty years ago in 1976, Donald Duncan, Robert Duncan and Harry Barr purchased their first bank, Citizens State Bank, later to become Bank Iowa, in their hometown of Clarinda.

From that humble beginning more branches were added to the Bank Iowa family culminating in 23 locations throughout the state.

Now, 50 years later, Bank Iowa is celebrating the milestone with a birthday party complete with ice cream and prizes. The public is encouraged to stop by the downtown location on Thursday, July 16 from 12 to 3 p.m. to join in the celebration.

By PHIL MONSON
Public complaints on motorized bikes and scooters came to a head at the Humboldt City Council meeting on Monday night, July 6.

“I’ve received a number of complaints of near-misses on streets and sidewalks downtown, kids riding double on them and not following rules and regulations,” Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen said.

“It’s on the agenda tonight to see if we need to take action or at least see what we can do about it,” Jensen said.

“I’ve gotten phone calls from people who have seen kids doing this but, they have to call the police department so they can see,” councilman John Sleiter said.

“I’ve talked to Jacob (Miller, police chief), and they are watching. They are on sidewalks that they aren’t supposed to be on and they are on Sumner Avenue. It’s a parent thing. The parents should be teaching these kids what they can and can’t do,” Sleiter said.

Chief Miller was on hand to field questions and share his input.

Humboldt County Engineer Ben Loots has released the findings from the recent inspection following the damage done to Murray Bridge on Tuesday, May 5.
Inspectors with Shuck-Britson Inc. (SBI) inspected the damage on Wednesday, June 10.

After a thorough inspection, SBI has recommended that Murray Bridge remain closed to traffic due to the following findings:
- The west rails were hit and failed on both sides. The south beam rolled and failed as it was attached to the rail.
- The top steel rail is broken and ripped off in multiple places.
- Collision damage without tearing of steel was found on five members on the south side and one member with tearing.
- Collision damage without tearing of steel was found on three members on the north side and four members with tearing.
- Bowing in seven vertical members.
- Rotation (twisting) in seven vertical members.

Clayton Christian Nielsen, 41, of Gilmore City, has been arrested following an incident Tuesday evening.

By KENT THOMPSON
Make-A-Wish has a mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Sunday, the greater Humboldt community fulfilled its own mission by exceeding the Humboldt Make-A-Wish Foundation’s goal of raising $300,000 to fund a yearly wish for a Humboldt County child in perpetuity.

The event was the fourth charity softball game featuring football stars from the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Fans paid a $10 admission to see the ‘Clones and the Hawks slug it out on the softball diamond.

Iowa won the first two meetings in 2023 and 2024, with Iowa State winning last year. The Cyclones were trying to even the series with a win on Sunday.

In a tussle that featured eight long balls, including two by Cyclone Carter Pabst, the Hawkeyes managed to outscore Iowa State by an 11-7 final.

The game however was secondary to the fun and frivolity and raising money for a very important cause.

Set hearing on work projects

By PHIL MONSON
A first reading updating an ordinance to allow residents to have chickens on their property passed on a 3-2 vote by the Humboldt City Council at their meeting on Monday night, June 15.

Council members Joel Goodell, Matt Dominick and Ann Phillips voted yes. Council members John Sleiter and Kirk Whittlesey voted no.

Goodell, who made the motion for approval, along with the rest of the council, voiced support having the required three votes of approval before becoming final.

“Just a quick run-through of what we discussed at the past meeting, it has the rooster restriction, a limit of six hens, setback requirements, inspection and permitting process and the adjoining neighbor sign-off provision,” Humboldt City Administrator Cole Bockelmann said.

“Keeping the neighbor sign-off provision is important if we are going to pass the ordinance,” Sleiter said.

By KIRK HUNDERTMARK
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Livermore closed its doors in the same way many Iowa congregations have in recent years, not because of a lack of faith, but because of shrinking membership, an aging community and a growing shortage of pastors in rural areas.

These challenges are affecting churches across the state and across denominations, and Immanuel felt them more sharply with each passing decade.

For generations, Immanuel was far more than a place of worship. It was where families gathered for baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, Christmas programs and potlucks. It held the stories of the farm families who built Humboldt County, and it anchored the identity of the Livermore community. When a church like Immanuel closes, the loss is felt well beyond Sunday morning.

Cole Bockelmann, who has served as administrator of the city of Humboldt since the fall of 2021, has accepted a position as finance director for Mason City. The Mason City Council accepted his hiring at their meeting on June 2. Bockelmann's last day will be July 2. He will begin his new duties in Mason City on July 6.

"It has been a privilege to serve the City of Humboldt and to work alongside an outstanding group of staff and elected officials. Together we have accomplished many transformationative projects that have created a lasting, positive impact on the community. Deciding to leave Humboldt was a very difficult decision and I will miss working as part of our team," Bockelmann said in a statement released to the Independent on June 3.

"Thank you for the opportunity to work for the City of Humboldt. I am confident that the City will continue to thrive due to the efforts of our residents, elected officials and staff," Bockelmann said.

By APRIL KELLEY
The discussion around the Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems (CWECS) Ordinance #77 dominated the Humboldt County Supervisors' meeting on Tuesday, May 26.

More than 75 people attended the meeting that was held in the District Courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse

Approximately two dozen participants spoke during the meeting, with most raising concerns against allowing wind turbines in the county. Each participant was allowed two minutes to help keep the meeting manageable.

“I don't know what I could say now that I haven’t already said in previous supervisor meetings, my recent email to supervisors, and my recent letter to the editor in the Humboldt Independent,” Bode resident Mark Olson, started the conversation.