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The Messenger/Fort Dodge, Iowa
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 | Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024
Progress Region
2024
THE
essenger
Humboldt
-Submitted graphic
A NEW BRIDGE that would span the Des Moines River is planned in Humboldt. The bridge, which would connect the eastern and western sides of town, along with a new trail loop, are together projected to cost $2.4 million to complete.
CONNECTING COMMUNITY New bridge planned as part of Humboldt trail project By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
H
UMBOLDT — A new bridge will enable walkers, runners and bicyclists to cross the Des Moines River between the eastern and western sides of Humboldt. A new trail loop will also be built in the park near Eagle Ridge Drive. “We are very excited for this project as it adds a signature outdoor amenity for both residents and visitors,” said City Administrator Cole Bockelmann. The project is expected to cost $2.4 million. Bockelmann said he hopes construction can begin this summer. The city’s existing Cottonwood Trail is along the east bank of the Des Moines River. The new bridge will enable people using that trail to cross the river to the Eagle Ridge neighborhood on the west side. The bridge’s east end will be south of the big white building that is the city’s parks maintenance shed. It will be
a 135-footlong steel truss bridge. “It takes a significant amount of grading on the west side,” Bockelman Cole Bockelmann said. “That’s the big variable in this.” On the west side of the river, a paved trail will extend to Eagle Ridge Drive. Also on the west side, there will be a 2.2-mile gravel trail loop, connected to the paved trail, that will go through the woods of Eagle Ridge Park. Humboldt has received a $954,181 state Transportation Alternative Program grant to help pay for the project. Humboldt County has contributed $100,000. The remaining roughly $1 million will come from a city general obligation bond issue. “Based on the retirement of other bonds, I am projecting this to have no tax impact for our residents,” Bockelmann said.
New trail loop to add 2.2 miles for running, walking, biking
-Submitted graphic
THE ROUTE OF A PROPOSED 2. 2-MILE GRAVEL TRAIL LOOP through the woods of Eagle Ridge Park is shown in the above graphic. There will also be a paved trail extending from the Des Moines River to Eagle Ridge Drive, which is shown in the lower part of the graphic.
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Manson
FULFILLING A PROMISE
Community honors Manson couple’s legacy by building trail By KELBY WINGERT kwingert@messengernews.net
M
ANSON — As Doug and Nancy Seavert raised their family in their home on Seventh Avenue in a southern neighborhood in Manson, they noticed that there really weren’t many sidewalks or pathways to other areas of town. There weren’t any spaces where kids could just ride their bikes without riding in the street, exposed to the danger of moving cars. Shortly before Doug Seavert passed away following a yearslong battle with cancer in April 2020, he told his wife she needed to do something to help bring the different areas of the community together with sidewalks or bike paths. Nancy Seavert spent the next year and a half fighting her own cancer battle before passing away in October 2021. After her passing, the Seaverts’ niece, Heather Leith, and a handful of other community members organized the Manson Trail Committee and, using money left by the couple, began work to bring Doug and Nancy Seaverts’ vision to life and connect the south side of Manson with the rest of the town. “We all promised her we would see this through,” Leith said. The community of Manson was deeply important to the couple, Leith said. Nancy Seavert was born and raised in Manson and was a 1985 graduate of Manson High School. After the Seaverts’ married, they moved around for a few years before settling back down in Manson. The Manson Trail Committee initially looked into helping build sidewalks in front of
homes in the area, but quickly learned that due to things like buried cables, that option wasn’t feasible. They then pivoted to creating a walking and biking path that would run along the old Rock Island Railroad line from Iowa Highway 7 to the Manson Northwest Webster football field and Manson Fairground Park in the northeast side of town. The first section of the trail — 0.7 miles known as the Seavert Pathway — was com-
pleted last spring between Iowa Highway 7 and Seventh Avenue. The 8-foot-wide path is currently constructed of compacted gravel, but the committee plans to eventually pave the surface with asphalt or concrete. The completed trail will stretch approximately two miles and will be broken up into other sections, which will be named pathways. No motorized vehicles will be allowed on the bicycle and walking
path. The trail is owned and will be maintained by the city of Manson. Though the initial plans for the Manson Trail include a two-mile route, there will be opportunities for possible future connections and loops in the area, according to committee member Laura Horan. Other members of the Manson Trail Committee include Teresa Ewing, Jesse Grossnickle, Jan Miller, Wade Niewoehner and Cindy Poppinga.
-Submitted photo
THE NEW MANSON TRAIL opened in May 2023 with the completion of its first section, called the Seavert Pathway, named after Doug and Nancy Seavert, who provided the seed capital to begin the trail project.
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Manson
NEW OWNER, SAME NAME
Gunderson now operates Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home in Manson By BILL SHEA
“As a younger generation taking on significant responsibilities, we are honored to carry Dean’s exceptional legacy forward. It is our privilege to maintain the tradition that he has established over the years.”
bshea@messengernews.net
ANSON — The funeral home in Manson has a new owner, but it will still have the same name that area residents have known for some 40 years. Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home has been acquired by Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, of Fort Dodge, in a transition triggered by the retirement of Dean Weishaar last July. Weishaar bought the Manson funeral home in 1982 and spent most of his 45-year career there. Weishaar said when he started thinking about retirement, he contacted Phil Gunderson, the owner of the Fort Dodge funeral home. He said he believes the transition will be good for him, good for the Gundersons and good for the Manson community. “Their family-run business and values perfectly align with ours,” he said. Gunderson added, “Dean and I have been friends and colleagues for many, many years and have the utmost respect for each other.” A strong relationship developed between Weishaar and Gunderson after the Manson funeral home was destroyed in a 2002 fire. Weishaar said Gunderson allowed him to use his facilities until a new funeral home was completed in 2003. Gunderson said taking over the Manson funeral home is “a real good fit for us.” He said the Manson community will not notice much difference, adding that the name of the funeral home will not be changed. “We’re going to adapt to their customs,” he said. Rob Gunderson, the son of Phil Gunderson, will be the pri-
M
ROB GUNDERSON Funeral director
-Submitted photo
DEAN WEISHAAR, left, and Rob Gunderson meet at Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home in Manson. Weishaar retired after 45 years as a funeral director, and Gunderson became the primary funeral director at the Manson funeral home when Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge bought it last summer.
Larson-Weishaar: A Rich History Today’s Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home has a history that dates back more than 100 years. The funeral home was established sometime before 1916 in a Main Street building that also housed a furniture store. In 1916, S. R. Williams bought the funeral home from its founder, W.D. Long. He died in 1927, but his widow and son continued to operate it. In 1936, the funeral home moved into a large old home known to longtime Manson residents as the Kaskey house. In 1951, Don Larson bought the funeral home. Then, in 1982, Dean Weishaar purchased it.
The funeral home was destroyed by fire in January 2002. The current funeral home opened on the same site in January 2003.
mary funeral director at Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home. “As a younger generation taking on significant responsibilities, we are honored to carry Dean’s exceptional legacy forward,” Rob Gunderson said. “It is our privilege to maintain the tradition that he has established over the years. We extend our warm wishes for him for a fulfilling retirement and a well-deserved rest.” Other members of the Gunderson Funeral Home staff will help as needed. “We’ll all help take care of the families in Manson,” Phil Gunderson said. Weishaar said he and his wife will continue to live in Manson. He said they plan to spend more time with their families and may do some traveling.
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Webster City
MAKING WISHES COME TRUE A quiet-functioning board works behind the scenes to improve WC district By JANE CURTIS
I
n the background, there are people quietly working to fill gaps in local education funding where needed, providing for an educator’s dreams when the budget runs dry. The Webster City Community School Foundation — Tim Anderson, Joyce Ostebee, Jerita Nelson, Alyssa Schwering and Heidi Tesdahl — labor to make the education experience in the Webster City Community School District better.
“We would want the community to know we are all volunteers doing this. We plan on being here in perpetuity.” TIM ANDERSON Webster City Community School Foundation president But they labor in the background, focused on goals that vary; a course may need a book that can supplement learning, or a teacher may need specialized equipment to help balance the learning experience in the classroom. This is where the Webster City Community School Foundation is critical. “They have supported us … for the whole district iPad, like sleeves or covers,” said foundation board member Jerita Nelson, a retired teacher. “Books for classrooms to update libraries. School of the Wild is a fifthgrade program. They get to spend
-Messenger photo by Jane Curtis
THE WEBSTER CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOUNDATION BOARD is pictured with Superintendent Matt Berninghaus. They are, from left, Alyssa Schwering, Jama Hisler, Berninghaus, Heidi Tesdahl, Jerita Nelson, Joyce Ostebee, and Tim Anderson, Foundation president.
four days outside. So that was a really cool project and that’s still sustained and going forward.” Support is administered through grant applications, which go through the school district. “The foundation reviews (projects) we know are supported by the district because it gets signed off on before it comes to us,” said Anderson, the foundation board president. Schwering, foundation board treasurer, said, We are “trying to be aligned with the district and talk to the new superintendent
(Matt Berninghaus) and get on board with how we can support what they’re doing and how we can communicate better, for the process of the grants being applied for goes through the district to come to us. And so that makes sure that they’re in alignment with what the district has outlined for the classroom, but that we can support it in ways that maybe go beyond what the district does.” Anderson is passionate about the foundation’s work and grateful to its founders. “Back in 1993 when this was
started, just to have somebody with the foresight to start a foundation that we could continue to grow.” The foundation is funded mainly through gifts, he said. “We don’t actively fundraise,” he said. “We have been graciously given some gifts from benefactors in their wills. And sometimes we get some annual gifts from people that are aware of the foundation. “We’re here to support the whole district and all of the students and to just kind of enhance
what the district is already doing, enhancing their goals. We’re all in this together and they’re all our kids,” he said. Nelson added, “I think just collaborating with the district and being able to fund some of those things that the district isn’t able to support, in looking at the new and innovative projects that teachers want to do in the classroom.” Anderson finished, “We would want the community to know we are all volunteers doing this. We plan on being here in perpetuity.”
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Palmer
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE
Palmer gears up for the town's 125th anniversary in 2025 By DOUG CLOUGH editor@messengernews.net
P
ALMER — The town of Palmer — population 138 — accomplished something rare for many towns its size. It grew 3.8 percent since its last count in 2010. If you are a student of Palmer’s history, it’s not a big surprise: Palmer has been part of the small family heyday and has survived the challenges associated with small town living. Palmer was originally named Hanson in honor of Neil Hanson, who owned 25 acres utilized as a town site. Due to the confusion with the similar sounding town of Manson, the post office recommended a change. Palmer’s location is in section 10, Bellville Township, Pocahontas County. On April 12, 1901, Palmer was incorporated. On July 12, 1900, regular train service came to town and the depot was built that same year. With the rail came community growth with coffee shops, pharmacies, hardware stores, and implement sales. With the good times came some tough times. On Oct. 25, 1905, a fire broke out, consuming Olson Brother Implement, Hungerford Implement, Whitt’s Hardware and the Citizen’s Lumber Company. Palmer — being Palmer — rebuilt these establishments for the good of its citizens. In 1916, the Palmer Opera House was raised to bring quality of life to the community beyond the ability to make a living. In 1923, the Home Cafe was
-Submitted photo
LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF PALMER is Panther Park, which is home to a large playground alongside park benches and sheltered picnic tables. Palmer also has the Terry Wessel’s Baseball Field on the southeast side of town, which hosts several student little league games.
“ready to cook for threshers.” Two banks were in business as was a farmer’s co-op. A sure sign that Palmer was growing was the thriving recreation in 1923. A Woodman picnic was held at Lizard Lake Resort, and The Rifle Club built a new shooting gallery. Baseball was a favorite sport and games were played at the resort. A fall festival was held in September with a concert by the Pocahontas Band, closing with a dance
and a Fontenelle phonograph — a piece of high-tech at the time — was given away at the festival. All of December 1923 was warm and on Christmas Day — with a 42-degree heat wave — horseshoes were a favorite game of the locals. In 1924, Palmer bought a Fordson tractor to drag the streets; it was the first time in the town’s history it had not been done with horses. High school students went
to John Beneke’s home to listen to a radio concert broadcast by the State University at Iowa City. Another hardware store was opened to meet the needs of Palmer’s building projects, including four new residences. In 1925, the Palmer Shipping Association reported at their February meeting that 65 cars of cattle stock were shipped during the fiscal year. It was noted that the yards were inadequate to handle the amount of stock
shipped by Palmer. This was another clear sign that Palmer was doing well, as were the rural cattlemen. As of July 1925, the Palmer Opera House installed a large fan in the basement to keep the house abundant with cool, fresh air. Not all the news was good during Palmer’s years as a Pocahontas County seat; for instance, there was the matter of the March 1936 “butter robbery” when thieves robbed the creamery of a ton of the creamy goodness worth $600, a hefty sum for the day. Another fire took its toll in the 1940s, gutting Elsen Pool Hall and causing smoke and water damage to Hanson Barber Shop, O’Brien Grocery, and Nolan Drug Store. As an offset, rural electrification was a big hit in 1940. Flash forward 75 years later, and Palmer has its own playground and baseball field, Mutual Telephone Company, a new cooperative, its own post office, and three churches. It is part of the Pocahontas Area Community School District, and boasts of a public museum to celebrate everything it has been to residents over the years. Like many of Iowa’s hamlets, Palmer peaked in population during the 80-acre farmstead days; it glided down to the stable 138 seen today. And, luckily, the town’s people know that they have something special to celebrate in 2025. If the celebration is anything like Palmer’s early years, it’ll surely involve a band, dancing, a few ball games, and the pitching of a few horseshoes.
Manson
A SPACE TO COME TOGETHER Manson Event Center opened in October By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
M
ANSON — A commercial building in Manson has a new purpose as a place to bring people together for all kinds of celebrations. “I’m hoping it becomes something so that our small town has a better sense of community — that it just pulls people together,” said Cindy Amspoker, owner of the new Manson Event Center. The center at 926 Main St. opened in October. Since then it has been the site of a community Thanksgiving dinner and a New Year’s Eve party. It is available to be rented for just about every kind of fun function people can think of: birthdays, anniversaries, wedding receptions, graduation parties, and retirement celebrations to name just a few. DJ bingo, a form of bingo that makes players identify songs, will be coming to the center. “I want to try to get a couple more things going in the community,” Amspoker said. She said the building can accommodate 150 people. She said it has “all the tables and chairs you could want,” a full working kitchen, and a fully-stocked bar. She said a bartender will be provided for events if requested. No catering is provided, so people will have to bring their own food and use the kitchen to prepare it. Amspoker said some work will have to be done
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
THE MANSON EVENT CENTER, 926 Main St., opened in October 2023, and offers a space for community and family gatherings. It has already been the site of a community Thanksgiving dinner and New Year's Eve party.
on the building’s exterior this summer because there are cracks in the facade. “We’ll have to give it a facelift on the outside,” she said. The Manson Event Center occupies a building that most recently was a restaurant. A couple different kinds of stores occupied it previously. “I think it’s been many things over the last handful of years,” Amspoker said.
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Pocahontas County
-Submitted image
THIS RENDERING shows a possible design for the new Pocahontas County Jail and law enforcement center. Pocahontas County residents passed a ballot measure with nearly 70% support last fall.
NEW JAIL COMING SOON
Pocahontas Co. residents pass $8.5 million ballot measure for new facility
By KELBY WINGERT
kwingert@messengernews.net
P
OCAHONTAS — While a ballot measure that would have led to the construction of a new jail facility in Webster County failed last fall, a similar ballot measure passed in Pocahontas County with nearly 70% support. The need for a new Pocahontas County Jail has been discussed since the 1990s, according to Sheriff Steven Nelson. “The previous sheriff, Brian Larson, had really pushed and was trying to go forward, and then he had some major health issues,” Nelson said. “So I just tried to continue where he left off, and this is where we ended up — actually got the bond passed.” Last November, Pocahontas County had an $8.5 million bond measure on the ballot to pay for a new jail and law enforcement center. The measure easily surpassed the 60% needed to pass, reaching just shy of 70% yes votes. This was also the first time the ballot measure went up
to a vote. “I think the public just really realized that there’s a desperate need, and the community supported it really well,” Nelson said. The existing Pocahontas County Jail was built a century ago, is falling apart and houses up to 10 inmates, the sheriff said. This causes both safety issues and capacity problems. “We’ve got three prisoners farmed out to other counties,” Nelson said recently. “This whole building is 100 years old and just wasn’t designed for modern electrical, running the wiring for the computers and things like that. There’s wires running all over the place, and that’s been a real problem.” Other infrastructure in the building is also failing, the sheriff said. “Our plumbing is horrendous,” he said. Inmates will often “flush anything and everything down the toilet,” causing problems, he added. A building that has been deteriorating for a century is also less secure, Nelson said. “We’ve had several people es-
“I just thank the community for the support. It was a much-needed new facility and I think it will definitely be cheaper having your own jail rather than transporting prisoners out in the long run.” STEVEN NELSON, Pocahontas County sheriff cape over the years,” he said. Whether the bond issue passed or not, the Pocahontas County Jail was near the end of its life, Nelson said. “Eventually the state jail inspector would have said, ‘Hey, no more, we’re going to have to close it down. It’s not safe for the prisoners; it’s not safe for the staff,’” he said. “It’s a big safety issue and getting a new jail will alleviate that.” If the state were to force the jail to close, Pocahontas County would be responsible for finding another county’s jail that would agree to house all Pocahontas inmates.
“It’s an addition to the community,” Nelson said of a new jail facility. “It’s keeping jobs here in the county. Our other option, if they shut the jail down, would be to transport to a different county.” That can be a difficult task, he said. “We had a female the other night that was a little bit out of control,” he said. “We contacted three different counties and they refused to take her. Then we had to drive two hours till we finally found another county that would house her for us. And if you had to transport all your prisoners, it would just be a whole nightmare
can of worms.” The new building is being designed by an architect out of Texas, Nelson said. The initial estimates for the project were about $7.4 million, but the county decided to go with $8.5 million for the bond issue to add some padding to the budget in case inflation causes prices to increase. Plans for the new jail and LEC include space for 18 inmates, which can be expanded to up to 22 with the addition of extra bunks, Nelson said. The new facility will be built on land the county already owns just east of the courthouse, Nelson said. The designs for the building are being finalized now and the project will go out to bid later this year, he said. The hope is to break ground in the fall and have a completed jail and LEC within two years. “I just thank the community for the support,” Nelson said. “It was a much-needed new facility and I think it will definitely be cheaper having your own jail rather than transporting prisoners out in the long run.”
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Webster County Towns
EXPANDING AND BUILDING
Grants help Webster County towns with fire service, community projects By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
T
he smaller communities in Webster County have experienced their own growth and accomplishments in the past year and look forward to more to come in 2024.
Badger The Badger Fire Department recently received a $15,000 grant from the Canadian National Railway that will enable it to buy a new kind of hydraulic rescue tool. The hydraulic rescue tools are used to pry apart wrecked vehicles to free people trapped inside them. For decades, those tools had to be connected by cables to a noisy hydraulic pump. Recently, battery-powered models have become available. The grant will help the department purchase one of those battery-powered tools. Badger firefighters upgraded their fleet of vehicles early in 2023 with the addition of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup outfitted to put out field, grass and brush fires.
Dayton A major state grant was awarded for the creation of an event center, complete with a restaurant, in Dayton. “It’s going to be a neat place,” Dayton Mayor Dave Bills said. “This will be a great addition.” The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded an $800,000 grant to the Dayton city government and the Dayton Community Club for the center. The money
-Submitted photo
ABOVE: Canadian National Railway presented a $15,000 grant to the Badger Volunteer Fire Department at the Iowa State Capitol recently. The money will be used for a battery-powered rescue tool eliminating the need for a standalone hydraulic pump or hydraulic hoses. Pictured from left are state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge; Badger Assistant Fire Chief Todd Johnson; firefighters Austin Borer, and Luke Hugghins; state Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge; and Jeff Price with Canadian National Railway. LEFT: In early 2023, the Badger Fire Department took delivery of this Chevrolet Silverado pickup, which is outfitted to fight field, grass and brush fires.
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-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
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Webster County Towns
Towns Continued from Page 7D came from the Destination Iowa program. The center is estimated to cost $2.3 million.
She said there is also a commercial lot available on Market Street. It was formerly the site of a Casey’s General Store, before the current convenience store was built. Streit said the underground fuel storDuncombe age tanks have been removed, and there The Duncombe Fire Department took were plans to build a car wash on the delivery of a new tanker truck at the be- site. A foundation for the car wash was ginning of 2023. built, but the man planning the project Built on an International chassis, it died and it was abandoned, she added. carries 1,800 gallons of water for fight“It’s a great spot for a business,” she ing fires in rural areas. said. A fire truck delivered in 1982 was reThe city government and the Develtired when the opment Comnew truck armission plan rived. to work on getting some deteriorated Gowrie buildings torn O r i g i n down this Homes, of year. Doing West Des that will creMAYOR MARK GROAT Moines, is premore open On property being surveyed for new homes ate paring to build space for resfive new housidential or es in Gowrie. commercial The housdevelopment. es will be in the Wiley Addition, a new housing area on the east side of the city, off Sunrise Drive. Otho Kathy Streit, executive director of the City leaders in Otho are preparing to Gowrie Development Commission, said get some ground surveyed as a first step there are 10 lots for new homes there. toward offering the property as sites for Because of state tax incentives the new homes. company received, the houses to be built “That’s what we need,” Mayor Mark by Origin Homes can have a maximum Groat said. selling price of $300,000, according to “Houses sell pretty quick in town,” Streit. he said. Those homes will be 1,200 to 1,500 The property being considered for square feet, with two or three bedrooms potential development is owned by the and two bathrooms. city government. It consists of about 14 A house has already been built on one acres on the southeast side of the city and of the remaining five lots and the other some ground near the former Otho Elefour are for sale, Streit said. mentary School.
“That’s what we need. Houses sell pretty quick in town.”
-Messenger photos by Hans Madsen
ABOVE: A sign advertises lots available in Wiley’s Addition 2.0 in Gowrie. The 10-lot addition is located on Sunrise Drive in the eastern side of the community. BELOW: Realtor signs line one side of the street in Wiley’s Addition 2.0 in Gowrie. The 10-lot addition is located on Sunrise Drive on the eastern side of the community.
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9D
Calhoun County
POWERING UP
Calhoun County ECA seeks sustainable energy solutions
By DARCY DOUGHERTY MAULSBY editor@messengernews.net
OCKWELL CITY — Solar energy has been billed as a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to produce renewable energy on the farm while promoting sustainable agriculture. A number of rural electric cooperatives in Iowa, including the Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association (ECA), have invested in solar arrays to learn more about what works — and what doesn’t. The Calhoun County ECA installed its 76-kilowatt solar array during the summer of 2017. This demonstration and education project, located in Rockwell City, has the ability to power approximately nine residential homes. “We want to learn as much as we can from our solar array so we can serve our members better,” said Keaton Hildreth, CEO of the Calhoun County ECA, which serves 1,178 members in five counties. The $215,000 solar array reflects the total cost of the project, including the solar equipment, 6-foot-tall chain-link fencing, landscaping and installation. The solar array includes 10 solar tables from Silfab Solar. Each table contains 30 photovoltaic (PV) modules, for a total of 300 modules. Since these are fixed tables, meaning they don’t move with the sun, the solar array is oriented toward the south. The solar tables are engineered to withstand 300 mile-per-hour winds, and the modules are warrantied for 25 years. Solar energy must be converted into electricity and fed into the power grid, so reliable, high-power inverters form the heart of any PV system. The Fronius Primo inventors that are connected to the Calhoun County ECA’s solar array convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The solar array has been operational for six years, and the Calhoun County ECA continues to measure the system’s ability to generate electricity. The coop also tracks how this relates to members’ peak electrical usage. “In June 2023, for example, the solar array offset a good amount of the demand at peak usage,” Hildreth said. “At other times of the year, however, the solar array offsets only a fraction — or none — of the electrical demand during peak usage.” The solar array generates the most electricity around noon, when the sun is highest in the sky. This summer, however, Calhoun County ECA members’ peak demand for electricity typically occurred late in the afternoon or early evening (around 7 p.m.), after people returned home from their daily activities. “The solar array isn’t producing much electricity by that time of day, since the sun is low in the sky,” Hildreth said. In the winter, peak electrical usage among Calhoun County ECA members often occurs around 7 to 7:30 a.m., when
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-Messenger photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
THE CALHOUN COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION installed its 76-kilowatt solar array during the summer of 2017. This demonstration and education project, located in Rockwell City, has the ability to power approximately nine residential homes.
people are getting ready for work and school. “The solar array’s ability to generate electricity doesn’t always match up with peak usage,” said Hildreth, who added that cloudy days, hazy days and other weather-related factors can also limit the solar array’s ability to produce electricity. “Consumers’ peak demand often occurs when the solar array isn’t generating as much electricity.” Still, solar energy can be a useful part of what rural electric cooperatives call an “all of the above” approach to energy policy. “We encourage diverse energy sources so we can help ensure a reliable, affordable source of electricity for our customer-members,” Hildreth said. “We want to explore all options and technologies to help meet the evolving energy needs of our local communities.” Sounding the alarm about proposed EPA rules In recent years, America has been trending toward a future that depends on more electricity to power homes, businesses, electric vehicles and more. Nationwide, however, the U.S. power grid is aging and is already struggling to meet current demand for electricity. This will become much more challenging now that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed sweeping new rules to regulate new and existing power plants.
EPA’s proposal requires the widespread adoption of clean hydrogen and carbon capture and storage at the nation’s coal and natural gas plants. Compliance deadlines endanger new and existing natural gas plants and all but ensure coal-powered, electrical generation units will opt to shut down by 2035, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). “The energy future outlined by EPA will result in more blackouts, higher electricity costs and greater uncertainty for Americans,” Hildreth said. On May 23, the EPA published proposed rules to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new and existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units under the Clean Air Act. Starting in 2030, the proposal would generally require significant CO2 emissions controls at fossil fuel-fired power plants that plan to operate past 2031. If implemented, the proposal would require unworkable emissions standards at coal and natural-gas-fired power plants, according to NRECA. The EPA proposal hinges on the widespread adoption of fledgling technologies that are just in their infancy, including clean hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS). While both technologies are promising, they are not yet widespread or commercially available, noted the NRECA, which added that these technologies have not
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been adequately demonstrated, as required by the Clean Air Act. EPA’s proposal will magnify today’s reliability challenges with serious consequences for an already stressed electric grid, Hildreth said. These concerns aren’t just theoretical. Nine states experienced rolling blackouts in December 2022 as the demand for electricity exceeded available supply. “This is the wrong plan at a critical time for our nation’s energy future,” Hildreth said. “When you find yourself in a hole, the first step is to stop digging. EPA needs to put down their shovel.” Providing safe, reliable electricity The Calhoun County ECA will continue to take all the steps it can to ensure the reliability and affordability of electricity, Hildreth said. “Our nation and our region increasingly rely on electricity to power the economy. That’s why we’re taking innovative, diverse approaches to keeping the lights on today and into the future.” The Calhoun County ECA also serves as a trusted resource when people seek advice regarding energy solutions. “If you’re thinking about installing a solar energy system on your property, there are some key issues to consider,” Hildreth said. “Contact your utility before you buy equipment or do anything else.”
“We want to learn as much as we can from our solar array so we can serve our members better.” KEATON HILDRETH CEO of the Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association
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Calhoun County
‘UBER FOR EMS’
By DARCY DOUGHERTY MAULSBY editor@messengernews.net
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OCKWELL CITY — When the unthinkable happens — whether that’s a car crash, a farm accident, or a heart attack — minutes count. But what if an ambulance crew can’t get there fast enough? “If there’s an emergency, there’s an expectation that help is coming quickly,” said Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, who spoke at the Rockwell City Public Library in November. “Rural EMS can be a challenge, however. Average ambulance response time is 25 to 30 minutes in some areas.” As this challenge becomes more widespread in rural Iowa, Gregg is promoting Iowa United First Aid and seeking volunteers for this innovative new program. Calhoun County is one of three counties (along with Cass County in southwest Iowa and Van Buren County in southeast Iowa) to participate in a pilot program for Iowa United First Aid. The mission is to provide immediate medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. Volunteers who sign up to be part of Iowa United First Aid will receive approximately 10 hours of CPR+ level training for free. The training will cover CPR, first aid, controlthe-bleed, and use of an automated external defibrillator), a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that helps to reestablish an effective heart rhythm in people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Along with trained volunteers, Iowa United First Aid will leverage GPS-location technology and smartphones to promote faster response time. “This system is like Uber, but for lifesaving,” Gregg said. “Using technology to notify the trained first-aid volunteers who are closest to the site of the emergency could really be a game changer for rural Iowa.” Each county in the pilot project for Iowa United First Aid is receiving $75,000 (including $50,000 in state funds, plus a $25,000 match from the county) to fund the program for a year. Trained first-aid volunteers will receive a go-bag (containing basic first aid gear and an AED), valued at approximately $2,500, to use in their role with Iowa United First Aid. Volunteers are not expected to be on call constantly. They can decline a request for assistance if they are unavailable. In that case, dispatch will reach out to other volunteers in the region. “Dispatch won’t send an alert to every volunteer for every emergency,” said Gregg, who noted that Iowa’s “Good Samaritan Law” protects first-aid volunteers in terms of liability. “Also, volunteers won’t be sent to every emergency, such as a domestic violence case or hazmat situation.” While Iowa United First Aid does not replace the need for EMTs, paramedics or ambulance service, trained volunteers can bridge the gap between an emergency and the time when the ambulance arrives. Early activation of 911, along with immediate CPR and first aid, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, according to information shared with the 20 people who attended the meeting in Rockwell City. Also, research has shown that the sooner CPR is started after cardiac arrest, the better the outcomes, Gregg added. Every minute that passes without CPR reduces the likelihood of survival by approximately 7 percent to 10 percent, according to CPR Select. Both Gregg, who grew up in Hawarden, and Gov. Kim Reynolds, who grew
Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg promotes Iowa United First Aid program
up in St. Charles, are strong proponents of Iowa United First Aid. “We both come from small towns, and it’s really important to us that there’s a good quality of life in small-town Iowa,” Gregg said.
Learning from Israel The idea for Iowa United First Aid took root during a trade mission to Israel in March 2022. That’s where Gregg learned about United Hatzalah, a free, volunteer-based emergency medical services organization that serves people throughout Israel. “Hatzalah is the Hebrew word for rescue,” said Gregg, who noted that the Israeli volunteers’ average response time is 90 seconds in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and three minutes in other parts of Israel. Gregg met with Eli Beer, the founder of United Hatzalah. Beer had always wanted to work on an ambulance crew and achieved his goal while he was still a teenager. Through his years of service, however, he learned that ambulances rarely, if ever, arrived fast enough to save a life. He never forgot the time a call came in to assist a 7-yearold girl who choked on food during a birthday party. “By the time the ambulance arrived 45 minutes later, the girl had died,” Gregg said. “A doctor who lived right around the corner said, ‘If only I had known, I could have helped her.’” This story not only motivated Beer to create United Hatzalah, but it touched Gregg, as well. “I was incredibly inspired by the work of United Hatzalah and wondered if this is something we could adapt for rural Iowa,” Gregg said. “We have a lot in common with Israel, including an ethic of respecting and protecting God-given life.” The need is great, he added. “There are lots of situations where minutes matter, whether someone is bleeding from a farm accident, suffering a heart attack or stroke, or facing an opioid overdose. These things happen every day throughout our state,” he said. Along with training in basic first aid, CPR, and operating an AED, first-aid volunteers can also be trained to handle Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment. “We’re not asking for EMT-level training for Iowa United First Aid,” Gregg said. The only requirement (once volunteers are trained) is to keep current on their CPR certification every two years.
-Messenger photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
LT. GOV. ADAM GREGG, left, visited with local residents who attended the informational meeting on Nov. 2 in Rockwell City about Iowa United First Aid, including (left to right) Kyle Poen, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation regional manager; Janelle Kracht, district field manager for Iowa Corn; Lynn Poen and her husband, Kevin Poen, of Lake City.
“If there’s an emergency, there’s an expectation that help is coming quickly. Rural EMS can be a challenge, however. Average ambulance response time is 25 to 30 minutes in some areas.” LT. GOV. ADAM GREGG, on rural EMS challenges Visit www.lakecityiowa.com for more about Lake City
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Creating new opportunities The minimum age to participate in Iowa United First Aid is 18. Project leaders hope to get 25 to 30 volunteers who are strategically located throughout each county to participate in the pilot program. Van Buren County has 30 volunteers signed up already. Calhoun County has approximately eight so far, although more people expressed an interest following the recent meeting in Rockwell City. “Rural Iowa is known for its tight-knit communities, where people work together to solve challenges,” said Scott Jacobs, a Calhoun County supervisor who looks forward to seeing Iowa United First Aid get underway. Iowa United First Aid also creates a unique opportunity for people interested in a medical career, Gregg noted. “I think this will be a workforce pipeline for future EMTs and paramedics who will go on to serve with ambulance crews in our communities,” he said. He’s optimistic that Iowa United First Aid can expand beyond the three counties in the pilot program. “There’s no reason this concept has to be limited to just a few counties or just rural counties,” he said. “It could work in Des Moines and other cities, too.”
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Calhoun County Business Park
REBIRTH IN 2023 Sparky's rebuilt, new business opens in Business Park By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
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-Messenger photos by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
U.S. REP. RANDY FEENSTRA (second from right) stopped by the new Sparky’s One Stop convenience store north of Rockwell City on Aug. 29, 2023, and visited with local residents about the nearby Calhoun County Business Park (top photo), a 115-acre area located just north of Sparky's.
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OCKWELL CITY — The Calhoun County Business Park saw a rebirth and the debut of its second resident in 2023. That rebirth occurred early in the year, when the new Sparky’s One Stop convenience store opened. It replaced the store’s original building that was destroyed by fire in November 2021. Sparky’s One Stop was the first occupant of the business park, which is located at the juncture of U.S. Highway 20 and Iowa Highway 4 north of Rockwell City. It rebounded from the fiery disaster with a new store on the site of the first one. On Nov. 16, 2023, the park’s second business, Store on 4 by Katy Lynn Boutique, opened right next to the convenience store. It offers men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and gifts. The business is related to the Katy Lynn Boutique in Fort Dodge. Plenty of space is still available in the park, which consists of 115 acres. “If you’re ready to build a warehouse/distribution facility, value-added agriculture business,
hotel or restaurant, everything you need to succeed is available right here,” said Theresa Hildreth, executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corp. Local officials tout the site’s location at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20, which runs east-west, and Iowa Highway 4, which runs north-south. That site also offers fairly quick access to the interstate highway system. It is 56 miles from Interstate 35 in Hamilton County and 90 miles to Interstate 29 in Sioux City. “Our most recent data shows that 8,837 vehicles pass through this area each day,” Hildreth said. “That’s up from 3,600 vehicles a day in 2012.” The number of vehicles traveling by the site on U.S. Highway 20 in the summer of 2023 was up 55 percent from the traffic counts of 2021. The Calhoun County Business Park is located in a federally-designated Opportunity Zone, which is designed to spur economic growth while providing tax benefits to investors. The business park is also locally designated as an urban renewal area, offering potential financial incentives for development.
Humboldt
REPURPOSED Former nursing home to become apartments By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
HUMBOLDT — A former nursing home in Humboldt is being remodeled into apartments. The conversion of the former Humboldt North Care Center is expected to be done by the end of this year, according to Alissa O’Connor, the economic development director for Humboldt. The nursing home at 1111 11th Ave. N. closed in early 2023. It was shuttered after its owner, Blue Care Homes LLC, of New Jersey, reported that it was unable or unwilling to continue operating it and five other facilities in Iowa, inAlissa cluding the Villa Care Center and Villa O’Connor Cottages in Fort Dodge. The state Department of Inspections and Appeals went to court to have the six facilities placed into receivership and they were closed shortly after that. In June 2023, Humboldt North Apartments LLC, of Badger, bought the property and announced plans to convert it to apartments. According to O’Connor, there will be 28 to 32 apartments in the building. According to the plan announced by the developer, those apartments will be mostly two bedroom units, with a few one-bedroom and three-bedroom units mixed in. These apartments will be market rate rentals. The original part of the Humboldt North Care Center was constructed in 1970, with two subsequent additions built later.
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