News

Humboldt council hears audit report

By PHIL MONSON
According to a report at Monday’s Humboldt City Council meeting, the Taft Street sanitary sewer improvement project is nearing completion.

Nick Frederiksen of ISG Engineering of Des Moines, and Ryan Miller of PeopleService, gave an in-depth report at the council meeting on Nov. 2. Their reports preceded the council’s approving a first phase payment of $$146,421.26 on the project.

With the completion date of Nov. 15 just around the corner, Frederiksen said favorable weather conditions are a must for the project to be completed.

“We held a project meeting on Oct. 28 and went through all the work they have gotten done through today. Amy (Zeman, city administrator) and Walter (Jensen, mayor) were the along with Ryan Miller,” Frederiksen said.

By APRIL KELLEY
In case anyone hasn’t been able to tell following the last month of nonstop election ads, the midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.

Anyone who requested an absentee ballot needs to mail it so that it is received by 8 p.m. on election day, Nov. 3.

In-person absentee voting can be done in the Auditor’s Office with the last day to vote absentee on Monday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.

The Auditor’s office will be open on one Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for absentee voting.

By APRIL KELLEY
Iowa has the second-highest rate of new cancer cases in the United States and of those cases, lung cancer is third most diagnosed form of cancer.

While most everyone knows that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, Iowa also is in the top 10 of the second common cause of lung cancer, radon.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that naturally occurs in soil. It is a radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium in soil, rock and water.

Iowa has several features that cause radon levels to rise including uranium-rich bedrock (limestone) and glacial deposits that had high radium content.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium website states that five in seven homes in Iowa have high radon levels. It can build up in homes, even seeping through concrete floors, walls, floor drains and sump pumps.

The Humboldt Community School District Board of Directors met for their regular board meeting on Oct. 19 at the administration building.

Humboldt High School Principal Dr. Jessica Goodenow was recognized at the start of the meeting.

Board President Tate Satern read the nomination letter, “As Mr. Rogers used to say, look for helpers, the ones who go the extra mile to make others feel loved, supported and understood. They are the ones who give when no one is watching and who step up to help even when it isn’t easy.”

He continued, “Jessica Goodenow has done all of these things time and time again, not only for my child but countless others. She is never one to say, that isn’t my job. Instead, she steps in, finds a solution and does whatever she can to help. She is truly one of those helpers.”

A building in downtown Humboldt was destroyed by fire in a blaze that occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 12:30 p.m. at 18 8th Street South. Multiple agencies responded to the fire.

Humboldt Police Department blocked off roads leading to the scene to allow crews the space to work and keep bystanders safe as they worked to extinguish the flames. There were reports of power outages along Sumner Avenue, and power was restored around 2 p.m.

There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. No one was in the building when the fire started. It was called in at 12:25 p.m. The building, owned by Hoag's Plumbing and Heating, was completely engulfed in flames when Humboldt firefighters arrived on the scene. The building is located one-half of a block southeast of the main company building at the corner of Sumner Avenue and 8th Street South.

By PHIL MONSON
In 1976, Humboldt natives Marc Arends and Bob Lee began Arends & Lee Law Firm and went on to serve the community for many years.

The duo retired in 2018 but before they exited for good, they cemented the foundation already in place with the arrival of Ashley Emick, Brett Legvold and Robert Myott.

Located at 520 Sumner Avenue in downtown Humboldt, the firm’s new name is Arends, Lee, Emick, Legvold & Myott. They are proud to celebrate the firm’s 50th anniversary.

Emick came to Humboldt right out of graduate school 18 years ago. Legvold arrived 14 years ago and Myott has been with the firm 10 years.

“My husband, Brad, is from Humboldt originally and I was interested in practicing in a small town and I knew Humboldt had a great reputation for a small community,” Emick said.

By APRIL KELLEY
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors had a short agenda with only the joint drainage meeting at 10 a.m. on their agenda for Monday, Oct. 5 as well as approval of more than a dozen manure management plans.

They did hear from one local resident, Gary Naeve. Naeve wanted to discuss further his concerns involving the gravel road in front of property he owns in the county, not the road in front of his residence as had been reported last week in the Humboldt Independent.

The Humboldt Independent staff strives for accuracy and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused Mr. Naeve.

Naeve stated he wished to discuss the use of dump trucks in the county and his opinion that they should be exchanged for belly dump trucks.

“You can haul three loads in what your straight trucks carry,” Naeve said.

The county has two chassis they have purchased that they are waiting to be fitted with snow removal equipment.

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.

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.

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."