News

By KENT THOMPSON
The Humboldt County Zoning Board of Adjustment met last week and for the second time, denied a special exception use for Mitch Fridolfson of Humboldt.
Fridolfson would like some answers why? Those answers haven’t been forthcoming, he says.
The Board of Adjustment is comprised of Chair Tim Burres, Louis Fallesen, Harley Friesleben and David Lee. There is currently one opening on the five-member board.
Humboldt County Zoning Administrator Randy Krecklow outlined several options under Humboldt County Zoning Ordinance No. 26.
On July 26, the Board voted 4-0 to not review its earlier decision and once again deny Fridolfson’s request.
Fallesen made the motion and Lee seconded with Friesleben and Burres concurring.
Fridolfson contends that the Board of Adjustment violated the Iowa Open Meetings Law at its May 2 meeting.

By Phil Monson
Plans to develop the new Three Rivers Industrial Park in northwest Humboldt moved forward Monday night (Aug. 1) after action by the Humboldt City Council.
They voted unanimously to approve resolution 2022-48 to approve Humboldt County Development Association’s (HCDA) application for annexation of the western portion of the proposed industrial park.
The city will be automatically annexing the adjacent portions of Kentucky Avenue and 215th Street, but only to the centerlines of each roadway. The annexation is categorized as a 100 percent voluntary annexation, which means all property owners included in the annexation (HCDA), consent to annexation.
There was a question about the annexation and a proposed change by the HCDA of the composite site from the southwest corner of the property to the northwest.

Water in Gilmore City is once again safe to drink. The city made that announcement at 1 p.m. this afternoon (Wednesday, Aug. 3).
According to Gilmore City City Clerk Melissa Ubben, a leak in a hose reduced the chlorine levels early Tuesday morning, so the do not drink order was issued.
Water pressure and chlorine levels were back up to the specs by 1 p.m. Wednesday and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources told the city that testing was fine and water was once again safe to drink.
The city of Gilmore City appreciates the patience of residents during this very hot time when water is in high demand.

The boil order for the city of Bode that was issued at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, was lifted as of Saturday, Aug. 6 at 11:30 a.m. The water in Bode is now safe to drink and use without boiling. The city appreciates the public's patience and cooperation during the past few days when the boil order was in effect.

By Phil Monson

Cassie Smith, a 10-year educator in the Humboldt Community School District, will be the new middle school principal.

Jim Murray, Humboldt School Superintendent, made the announcement last week. Smith’s hiring is expected to be approved by the board of education in their upcoming meeting.

“I’m super excited for the opportunity. It was not something I had envisioned for our family at this particular time, but when the opportunity came up and Mr. Murray approached me about it and I talked it over with my husband, it felt like right now is a good time to jump in knowing we love being in this district and knowing the staff and students at the middle school are going to be great to work with,” Smith said.

“I’m so excited that the school board and the community has provided this opportunity because a position like this doesn’t come open very often,” Smith said.

By KENT THOMPSON
The BA.5 subvariant of Omicron COVID-19 is sweeping the country and Humboldt County is no exception.
As of July 21, Humboldt County had 29 active cases in the previous 10 days, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital (HCMH) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michelle Sleiter reported at the Hospital Board of Trustee’s meeting on Thursday, July 21. “We have also had two local hospitalizations with the disease,” Sleiter said. According to iowacoviddata.com, 1.7 cases per 1,000 residents have been reported in the county during the past week.
“We have had 2,896 confirmed cases of COVID since the pandemic started. Iowa has been on the rise and we are no exception. We have been testing about 60-70 patients per week. Of that number, 14 were positive (last week),” Sleiter said.
“Of course, that doesn’t include people who are self-testing and not reporting,” Sleiter said.

Didn't get to see everything at last week's Humboldt County Fair? Check out the special section in this week's Humboldt Independent, jam-packed full with 99 photos and fair information. More 4-H and FFA results will also be published in the Aug. 4 edition. If you don't received the paper click on the subscribe link at the top of this page and read what you are missing.

The Rotary Club of Humboldt announced they will be holding the 21st annual Fly-In Flight Breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Humboldt Municipal Airport from 7 a.m. to noon.
Dave Dodgen, a Rotary Club member, and local pilot said “Our Rotary Service Club is happy to host this event each year so people and their families can come out and enjoy a great Sunday outdoor event; have a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and drinks; watch airplanes and maybe even take an airplane ride.”
Proceeds from the event will fund the Rotary Club’s contribution to the new Wildcat Wonderland Playground at Taft Park. Tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance from club members. Meal prices are $8 for adults and kids under 12 are $6. Airplane rides are $25 per person.

There will be bikers in town this weekend. Like all motorcyclists, the group likes to have fun. There will also be something special in the group’s purpose, to praise and serve the Lord.
The Christian Motorcyclists Association – Iowa Chapter, will be having their Heartland Rally this weekend at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds, 311 6th Ave. N.
“We have met in Fort Dodge for several years and due to a scheduling conflict will be coming to Humboldt this year. The CMA Iowa is very excited to be coming to Humboldt for our Heartland Rally. Being from Fort Dodge, I’m familiar with the Humboldt community and know it will be a great experience for all our people,” Brian Bidleman, CMA Iowa state coordinator said.

By KENT THOMPSON
A semitrailer caught fire on Highway 3 in Humboldt Friday afternoon about 4:14 p.m.
The fire engulfed the trailer destroying a four-wheeler and two modified pulling trucks.
“Something started on fire in the front of the trailer. The driver was able to see it and was able to stop,” Humboldt Fire Chief Jim Gronbach said at the scene. The driver pulled over just west of the intersection with 11th Street North and was able to disengage the cab and pull it around the corner from the burning trailer.
“We were on our way to fair with two 1939 International trucks that we had modified to pull in Outlaw events like the one here in Humboldt,” said the rig’s owner, Terry Van Beek of Rock Valley. Terry and his family compete under the Slightly Twisted Pulling Team name.
“It was two antique trucks and a four-wheeler to pull them around. I didn’t see smoke initially,” he said.