Saturday, December 27, 2014
REFLECTIONS & PROJECTIONS the BEST and Worst of two thousand FOURTEEN
Person of the Year
BOB NORRIS
Story of the Year
By TESS GRUBER NELSON Managing Editor
A
fter being named a 2014 Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair and being honored as the 2014 Shenfest Grand Marshal, it’s only fitting that Bob Norris be The Valley News’ 2014 Person of the Year. After all, it was this past year that Bob retired from serving as Shenandoah City Attorney after 45 dedicated years. Although it may be a surprise to Bob he was selected for this honor, it certainly wasn’t to anyone else in our community. “Bob has been a tremendous asset to Shenandoah. His calm, level-headed approach to even the toughest debates has been the backbone of this community for years,” commented Century Bank President, Greg Ritchey. “His dedication, ethics, and consistent presence in city and business affairs will be missed.” “When I would call Bob for legal help on a library issue, he showed amazing patience--carefully explaining the legal ramifications. His calm, even temper—priceless,” said Shenandoah Public Library Director, Jan Frankde Ois. Despite Bob and his wife, Edi, being avid support of Shenandoah, neither of them are natives. The couple actually moved here in 1969 when Bob began practicing law. After graduating from college, the couple first lived in Bloomington, Ill, where Bob worked for State Farm Insurance for five years. The duo then returned to Iowa, where Bob attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines. When he graduated, the couple made their way to Shenandoah. “We love it here; we moved here by choice and we’ve stayed here by choice, and we will continue to do that,” Norris said in a June 2014 interview, “I just think back over the last 45 years and all of the progress that Shenandoah’s made as a community, the positive things that have happened to improve our town, and just being a part of that has been rewarding.” Bob retired as Shenandoah City Attorney on June 30, 2014, however he is still practicing law. On top of that, he is a very active volunteer within the community with the United Methodist Church, Shenandoah Elementary School, M.A.Y. Mentoring, as a member of Shenandoah’s Sister City committee, a former longtime Boy Scout leader, and Shenandoah Rotary member. “How to comment on 44 years as a friend, legal council, traveling partner, Boy Scout Leader, Church leader, fellow hiker, backpacker, canoe companion, City Attorney, Sanctuary coffee group member, and other memories too numerous to count can’t begin to list his impact on our lives. I thought for a long time that he might not ever retire because of his love for his vocation,” commented Shenandoah City Council member Bob Burchett. “He deserves every honor he has received, and they are many! I’m very proud to call him a friend.” Norris was honored in August 2014 at the Iowa State Fair as an Iowan of the Day, a prestigious award saluting the most giving and outstanding people in the state. On his nomination form it read that Bob is known for making a difference, such as traveling to Russia for mission work in orphanages. Giving back is something he and Edi have in common, which is a reason behind their successful marriage of more than 50 years. “They are always a joy to work with on all the volunteer organizations they are involved with, whether it was Greater Shenandoah Foundation, M.A.Y. Mentoring, Rotary or other volunteer positions,” said Shelly Smith, Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association Marketing Director, of the couple. Bob and Edi have one son, Mike Norris, and two grandchildren, Ian and Sydney. “I first met Bob in the late 60’s when I joined Boy Scout Troop 218. He was one of the the Scout leaders that were there to guide myself and the rest of the boys in Troop 218. I don’t know what year Bob came to Shenandoah, but I’m suspecting he hadn’t been here for long, as he was quite young, and energetic,” commented Shenandoah resident John Greenleaf. “His love for the community, and in helping to shape the minds of young boys to grow-up to be the next generation of leaders in Shenandoah, or whereever they may land after graduation, is in itself a mighty see NORRIS, Page 3
Brian Davis
Brian Davis charged with 2009 murder By ANDREW NELSON OWH News Service
A distraught Brian Davis called 911 about 9:35 a.m. on July 18, 2009. He told the dispatcher that his girlfriend, Holly Durben, had shot herself. Deputies found Durben dead in the upstairs bedroom of the rural Shenandoah home she shared with Davis. She was lying on her back, her left hand on a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, with a shotgun wound to her head. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, more than five years later, authorities arrested Davis and charged him with first-degree murder in Durben’s death. Bond was set at $1 million cash, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. On the day of Davis’ arrest, Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope said the investigation was reopened in late 2013 after former Fremont County Attorney James Burger took office. At the time, the new prosecutor’s perspective made the difference. “Our office brought it to him. We had several, several, meetings on it,” Aistrope said. “All the evidence was there. He just looked at it with a new eye.” The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation also cited new evidence in the case, but would not say what it was, saying the investigation into Durben’s death was still ongoing. Davis has a history of criminal charges, including a 1999 conviction for assault and causing serious injury. In 2012, three years after Durben’s death, he was convicted of violating a protection order. In early October a charge of domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury was dismissed. Durben’s death followed an incident the year before in which she told deputies Davis had tried to strangle her and had put a loaded handgun to her head. Charles Richardson, 34, her brother in-law, said Thursday, Oct. 30 that family members had been trying to persuade Durben to leave Davis. see DAVIS, Page 3
PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
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Lake Barn Replica
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
PROGRESS... Hayden Jones puts wood shingles on the Lake Barn replica he is building for the Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum. Jones said there are 36 shingles in each row and there are 26 rows; meaning he needs to cut more than 900 shingles just for the one side of the barn. Jones started the project in November 2013.
1882 116 S. Blossom, Shenandoah, IA 712-246-2205
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
SERVICE... From left, Park board member Zac Zwickel, council member Don Gibson, Mayor Richard “Dick” Hunt, and council member Kim Swank were sworn in Dec. 30, 2013 by then Shenandoah City Clerk, Mary Smith.
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Januar y
Stanley gets 4 months for robbing bank
Tiffany Ann (Crowell) Stanley, 40, a 1991 Farragut High School graduate, and a former resident of Shenandoah, was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by four months home confinement, and upon release from prison, five years supervised release for robbing the Great Western Bank in Riverton two years ago. Stanley was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Southern Iowa District Court. Additionally, Stanley is to pay restitution in the amount of $25,166.40, said Andrew Kahl, media relations for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Remembering Phil Everly
Music icon Phil Everly, who lived in Shenandoah from the age of 5 until in his early teens, died Saturday, Jan. 4 at the age of 74 in California from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Phil and his older brother, Don, began singing in 1945 while living in Shenandoah with their parents, Ike and Margaret Everly. Ike brought the family to Shenandoah when he and Margaret were hired by KMA radio station to perform. When Don and Phil were in high school, the family moved to Knoxville, Tenn., where the duo continued to hone their musical skills. Eventually, the boys would sign a record deal and become household names and teen heartthrobs. Highway 59, or Fremont Street, was dedicated Everly Brothers Avenue in 1986 and their childhood home is a museum on West Sheridan Avenue, just west of the Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum. Additionally, The Depot Deli is adorned with Everly Brothers memorabilia.
Mason charged with 5 counts of lewd acts
A Navy officer raised in Shenandoah has been charged with five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16, one count of lewd or indecent proposal to a child under 16, two counts of forcible sodomy, two counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology and one count of contributing to the delinquency of minors. Brock Gabriel Mason, 24, had been deployed in Japan, but was extradited to Norman, Okla., to face charges in
Cleveland County District Court in early December. The charges against Mason allegedly took place between January 2012 and November 2013 while he was a student at the University of Oklahoma. According to court documents, Mason allegedly forced a couple of young boys to have sex with him, perform oral sex and masturbate, in exchange for gifts like cash and shoes. Mason also allegedly gave the boys drugs and forced them to look at pornography.
Farragut council approves demo of elevator
Members of the Farragut City Council approved a demolition permit for the Farragut Elevator during its regular January meeting. The Farragut Elevator was built in 1878 to replace scooping grain into train cars. Back then the elevator’s capacity was 32,000 bushels, according to documents provided by the Fremont County Historical Society. In the 1920s, the elevator was replaced with a larger elevator that had a capacity of 40,000 bushels and then in 1963, an elevator was built with a capacity of 600,000 bushels. Gavilon Grain, formerly DeBruce Grain, purchased the Farragut Elevator several years ago.
Anderson pleads guilty to murder in Idaho court
Douglas Anderson, a former Essex resident, 59, admitted to an Idaho court on January 15 that he killed Darole “D.L.” Carpenter last July. “He explicitly acknowledged that he murdered D.L. and stole the money,” said Prosecuting Attorney Richard K. Linville. “I reduced charges to second degree murder and one count of grand theft. The other two counts of theft were dismissed, but he agreed to pay restitution for all of them.” Linville said he took Anderson’s clean criminal history into consideration. “I’ve not found any other charges he’s ever been accused of, and there was no indication of any type of substance abuse. So, I told the court I would recommend a 30-year sentence with 15 years fixed and 15 years indeterminate; meaning he’ll not be eligible for parole for 15 years. On the grand theft charge, I recommended a 14year sentence with 10 years fixed and 4 indeterminate, to be concurrent with the murder charge,” he said. “But the judge is not bound by those recommendations.” Sentencing was set for 10 a.m. March 25.
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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NORRIS Continued from page 1
testimony to his living legacy. The one thing I always admired about Bob was his patience, especially with young, very energetic kids. I never knew Bob to raise his voice, at least not often or for long.� “I appreciate all the support Bob gave me during the 20 years I worked for the City of Shenandoah. Bob was a very kind friend and trusted co-worker. He was always available to assist any of us in the office. His words of wisdom and calm and cool nature made the office a better place to work,� commented Karen Lane.
DAVIS Continued from page 1
Jon Leu/OWH News Service
DEBATE... All six Republican candidates for the seat now held by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, were in Council Bluffs in February for a debate broadcast by WHO Radio. The candidates included, from left, Mark Jacobs, Matt Whitaker, Joni Ernst, moderator Jon Jacobsen, Scott Schaben, Paul Lunde and Sam Clovis.
Febr uar y K&L, Page County case dismissed
The Honorable Judge James Heckerman dismissed the court case between Page County and K&L Custom Farms Inc., on Feb. 25. According to Page County Attorney, Jeremy Peterson, the Court found that K&L’s claim of breach of contract was not valid. Additionally, the Court found, “that Page County had grounds to find K & L in default under the contracts, and the termination of the contracts was justified and K&L is entitled to no damages.�
Kissell arrested for sexual abuse
Roger C. Kissell, 66 of Sidney was arrested Feb. 20 by Sidney Police Chief, Melvin Richardson, for suspected sexual abuse, second degree; lascivious acts; and indecent exposure. The arrest was made following an investigation which was initiated when a 5-year-old female reported Kissell had sexually abused her.
The Valley News and Argus Herald are teaming up
The Sidney Argus Herald has joined with The Valley News starting on Monday, Feb. 24. Although it doesn’t mean any changes for subscribers to The Valley News, it does mean there will be some changes to the Argus Herald, such as the look of the paper and those who write, take photographs, and paginate the
weekly publication. Ellen Longman, owner of The Argus Herald, retains ownership and responsibility for its publication and longtime Argus Herald Editor, Dennis Bateman is retiring, but will continue to write his column and staff the office on a limited basis.
Sidney’s Kevington Lane to close per State
Kevington Lane, a 21-bed residential care facility in Sidney, and Faith Ridge Life Center of Malvern, a 51-bed nursing home, will be closing. On Feb. 28, Polk County District Court Judge Mary Pat Gunderson agreed with the state’s request to “wind down� and eventually shut down the two Southwest Iowa care centers. The facilities owe the Iowa Department of Human Services thousands of dollars in Medicare funds. Additionally, DHS has suspended further payment of Medicaid funds to the businesses, which are owned by Mary Morse-Bolton of Plattsmouth, Neb.
Lutt is no longer Hamburg’s superintendent
Hamburg School Board members voted not to retain the shared superintendent position with Farragut during a special school board meeting. Board member, Susan Harris, wife of Hamburg Middle School Principal, Jan Harris, abstained from voting by excusing herself from the table and board member, Steve Stenzel, was the lone vote to keep Lutt. see FEBRUARY, Page 4
“She was a very, very kind person who believed everyone had good in them. I think she was giving him more of the benefit of the doubt than he deserved,� Richardson said. “It was heartbreaking because we felt that she was almost ready to leave. We almost had her out of there and then that happened.� Two days after her death, an autopsy was performed on Durben’s body at the office of the State Medical Examiner. There was reddening on her neck and in her right eye, signs of possible asphyxiation, an affidavit states. The death was classified as “undetermined.� Investigators declined to discuss specifics, but the affidavit provides details on what they found in their investigation of what happened the Saturday morning she died: The couple argued extensively the night before. About 4 a.m., friends reported she sent a text message, asking if she could come over. At 4:30, a friend reached her by phone, and Durben was upset and crying. Davis got on the phone and said everything was fine, but also said he was going to take a bath and slit his wrists, the affidavit says. Then he hung up. When friends called again Davis said everything was fine and denied saying he would cut his wrists. Davis would later tell DCI agents that he did not recall these calls. About 9:35 a.m., Davis called 911 to say Durben had shot herself. While still on the phone, he walked onto U.S. Highway 59. He stopped two cars. Davis was taken to the hospital in Shenandoah where his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal driving limit. State agents interviewed him there, and Davis told them he had been up late with a friend playing video games. Davis told authorities they had taken the shotgun out and shot it, then unloaded it and stored it under the bed where it was normally kept. He said his friend left about 5 a.m. Davis later woke up hungry. He called upstairs and asked Durben if she wanted any eggs. She declined, but asked him to come upstairs, he told authorities. He was on the fourth step when he heard the shotgun blast. In a later interview, though, Davis changed his story and said his friend left at 6:15 a.m. His friend told investigators that he left about 8 a.m. Durben was in the kitchen, and the shotgun was on a chair in the kitchen, not under the bed upstairs. Prior to his Oct. 29 arrest, officials with the Division of Criminal Investigation interviewed Davis again. He was arrested two days later at work in Clarinda. In Fremont County Court on Monday, Nov. 24, Davis pled not guilty. The written plea was entered by Davis’ public defender, Eric John Nelson. As of press time on Thursday, Dec. 11, a pre-trial conference was scheduled for Davis on Friday, Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Additionally, a hearing on a motion to produce was requested by Judge James Heckerman and set for 1:30 on Monday, Dec. 15.
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
PROGRESS... Construction crews from Oakview dck, LLC worked through the month of February despite frigid temperatures.
FEBRUARY Continued from page 3
Difference Makers Doug Meyer Since arriving in Shenandoah more than a year a g o , Doug Meyer h a s opened h i s heart, and his wallet toward things that make Shenandoah and the surrounding community a better place. It was Meyer’s idea to start Toys for Girls & Boys, to take the place of Operation Blessing, which was discontinued in 2014. Meyer is also one of the first business owners in Shenandoah to donate toward various fundraisers and functions, such as after-prom parties, Relay For Life, and Shenfest.
Tom Hinrichs Tweey Kenealy With the difficult decisions facing officials with the Farragut a n d Hamb u r g School D i s tricts, you’d be hardpressed to find anyone willing to take on such issues. However, that’s exactly what Farragut Superintendent Tom Hinrichs (above) and Hamburg Superintendent, Terry Kenealy (left) h a v e done. Both of these m e n c a m e into a difficult situation in the summer of 2014, and have been working tirelessly to help the districts find solutions that best fit the needs of the students. Hinrichs and Kenealy volunteered to come into two difficult situations facing two districts and work as one. They show the determination and heart of those that have been with these districts for numerous years, not just the six months they’ve been on the job.
Caroline Ruhde Caroline Ruhde is a busy lady, but it’s only because she is constantly thinking and doing things for others. Caroline is one of the first people to volunteer to help out, whether it’s with Nishna Productions, SMC
Auxiliary, her church, square dancing club, or just the Shenand o a h community in general. Her warm smile and generosity make a difference in our community as she is certainly someone to count on.
Bob Longman Bob Longman tends to keep a pretty low profile, but when it counts, you can count on Bob. When wanting to sell his business, Central Surveys, Bob held out until he found the perfect buyer in William Fischer. Additionally, Bob made sure that Central Surveys, and its employees, would remain in Shenandoah for a minimum of 10 years. Putting others before yourself, like Bob has done, is certainly a way to make a positive difference in the lives of many, including those in our community.
Jeannine Liljedahl In 2014, Jeannine Liljedahl was honored with a national award for volunteering – the AARP Service Awa r d . Liljed a h l works tirelessly on many local non-profits including Little Red Wagon, Community Food Pantry, Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum, Greater Shenandoah Foundation and countless others.
Carlene Crom While most people saw two vacant buildings on Tabor’s Main Street, Carlene Crom saw potential and a way to make a d i ff e r ence. Crom, a singer/songwriter, not only helped the community of Tabor by putting two buildings back on the tax roles, but is bringing a lot of people to town who might not otherwise make the trip
with her passion and business, the Main Stage. She is also helping young people learn to love the arts through her new venture as well as give young and upcoming artists a chance to perform.
Becca Castle Becca Castle not only helps keep Imogene alive by coowning and cooperating the Emerald Isle, but she is very active in Southwest Iowa Nature Trails and the Sons and Daughters of Imogene. An avid bicyclist, Becca writes a lot of grants, organizes many meetings, and has put in countless hours in seeing the town of Imogene and the Wabash Trace thrive.
Bruce Micheel Bruce Micheel is proud to have served his country and it’s that pride t h a t helped him and other members of Shenandoah’s VFW Post to renovate Conway Park. Micheel took the helm and helped turn a little known park at a busy intersection into a place where the five branches of the military can be honored and remembered.
Lona Lewis There were many people excited and thrilled about t h e 2014 openi n g of the Sidney Iowa Champions h i p Rodeo Museum, but maybe no one more so than Lona Lewis. From the first time a rodeo museum was mentioned, Lewis has spent thousands of hours writing grants, looking over plans, raising money, securing donations, painting, plastering, sweeping, and just about anything else needed to make the rodeo museum a reality. Lona was instrumental is getting the museum up and open and should be proud of all she has accomplished with her fierce determination and dedication.
Casey’s to close
The Casey’s General Store, located at 1301 West Sheridan Ave., in Shenandoah, will close on Sunday, Feb. 16. Brian Johnson, Vice President of Finance for Casey’s, said the fuel tanks will be removed and the property will be sold as a deed restricted property. Casey’s purchased the former Kum&Go store in September 2012.
No snow, drought causing lines to break
This winter’s cold, dry weather has been playing havoc with water lines all over the state, including those in Shenandoah. Shenandoah Water Superintendent, Kirk Kemper, said they’ve had more water main and water line breaks within the past couple months than they had total the past couple years. “During an average year, we have one or two. This year we’ve had eight and that’s just during the months of January and February,” Kemper said. Kemper explained the drought has affected the soil and soil structure and with the continued lack of moisture, and no snow cover, it’s made conditions worse. When the temperature freezes, Kemper explained, the frost is driven down further into the soil seeking moisture. When the weather warms up, the frost starts to work its way upward, but when it freezes again, the frost is driven down even further than before. The ground then shifts, and the pipe is snapped.
Hometown campaign kickoff for Shaw Feb. 3
“I still consider myself a farm kid from southwest Iowa. You might leave this town, but its impact on you never goes away. You learn about family, community, hard work, the value of a dollar, honesty - traditional values, and those things go with you when you leave. You also learn there are times in life when you should give back, and one of those times for me is now.” Yes, Shenandoah native and 1991 SHS graduate, Monte Shaw, wants to clean up Washington D.C. by running for Congress. At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, a hometown campaign kickoff will be held at the M.A.Y. Center, and the public is invited to attend. However, he will make his formal campaign announcement Tuesday morning, Feb. 4 in Des Moines.
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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HONORED... The Lundgren family was named the 2014 Farm Family of the Year at the annual Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association’s Ag Banquet. The Lundgren family started farming in the area in 1927, when the family of CJ Lundgren bought their first farm.
March At least one case of Whooping Cough, or Pertussis, has been confirmed within the Shenandoah School District, specifically at the JK-8 Building. Shenandoah High School Nurse, Linda Laughlin, said the ill student is receiving antibiotics for the disease and is not at school. Parents of children that came within close contact with the infected student have been notified, she added, and will receive treatment as a precaution.
Nishnaland Seed, Radio Shack to be demolished
While the fate of the Johnson Bros. Mill is yet to be determined, the former Radio Shack building and Nishnaland Seed building will soon be demolished, following approval of the Shenandoah City Council. As for when the buildings will be knocked down, council members will sort through those details later.
GPRE named SCIA 2014 Friend of Ag
Green Plains Renewable Energy earned the 2014 Friend of Ag award at the annual Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Ag Banquet. The business received the honor for its continued work farming algae with assistance from their ethanol plant, all done in conjunction with BioProcess Algae, LLC. Additionally, Shenandoah senior, Emma Christensen and Nishnabotna senior Bradley Nahnkunst each received $3,600 scholarships.
Dow appointed as Page County Treasurer
Angie Dow, a former Clarinda elementary school secretary, was appointed Page County Treasurer by the board of supervisors during their meeting Tuesday, March 18. Dow replaces Kim Behrens who resigned from the position last month. Behrens accepted a position in the auditor’s office.
Hamburg loses 19 students in March
Members of the Hamburg School Board approved the open enrollments of 19 students out of the district for
Percival, Iowa Junction of I-29 and Highway 2 141227-58183
2014-15. Fifteen of those students will attend school at Farragut, while four will go to Sidney school. Additionally, during the Feb. 17 regular board meeting, 13 students were granted open enrollments out of the district; 11 into Farragut and two into Sidney.
Santa has left the building! The winter clearance sale is on!
Lettuce farming is next big thing
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Not just corn, soybeans, and algae, but lettuce could be the next big money maker around Shenandoah, if hydroponic gardening takes off in the way chamber executives expect. “The idea is to become involved in the fresh and local movement. The growth of fresh and local food industry is exploding. All grocery stores are now moving to the idea of fresh, local produce,� said Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association (SCIA) Executive Vice President Gregg Connell. “People want to know where their food is from and who grew it. The fresher the better.�
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Shen council to revisit Urban Renewal plan
Shenandoah City Council members will take another look at plans to demolish the former Radio Shack and Nishnaland Seed buildings, purchase new Walk of Fame tiles, refinance old city debt, and purchase Johnson Bros Mill. A public hearing will take place on these issues at the Feb. 11 regular council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in council chambers. The public is urged to attend and express their opinions.
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Stogdill sentenced to 17 years in prison
On March 25, Tony Lee Stogdill, 46, of Imogene, was sentenced in the United States District Court in Council Bluffs, on the charge of interstate transportation of a person under 18 years of age for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual activity, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Court said Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Stogdill to 210 months imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release to follow the prison term. Stogdill was ordered to register on the sex offender registry, pay restitution (in an amount yet to be determined) and pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim Fund.
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s the Christmas Season comes to an end and a New Year is about to begin, Micky G’s would like to thank you - our valued customer. It is people like you who make being in business such a pleasure all year long. And with customers like you, we find going to work each day is a pleasure. So may this Holiday Season bring joy and happiness to you and your families. Wishing you and all those close to you a Joyous Holiday Season and a New Year of happiness and hope. Again - thank you for a wonderful Christmas Season. All of us at Micky G’s
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PLUNGE...Teresa Jones and Cory Arnold, both of Shenandoah, plunge into the cold waters of Rapp Park the last Saturday in March as part of the first annual Page-Fremont County Relay For Life Polar Plunge. Twenty-nine people plunged into the water and raised roughly $4,000 for Relay For Life.
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PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
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April SMS student has Pertussis
PLANT...Shenandoah Elementary fourth graders assisted Shenandoah city employees with planting several trees to the north of the K-8 facility. In addition to helping plant the trees, the students learned how trees are essential.
May Fremont County showing ‘Pride’
All 12 cities in Fremont County are participating in a beautification project. Anderson, Bartlett, Farragut, Hamburg, Imogene, Percival, Randolph, Riverton, Sidney, Tabor, and Thurman, are each involved in a state pilot project called “Hometown Pride,” associated with Keep Iowa Beautiful.
Kevington Lane owner arrested for fraud
An investigation initiated by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, which led to the closing of Kevington Lane Care Facility in rural Sidney, has also resulted in two arrests. Fremont County Deputies arrested Mary Morse-Bolton, 55, of Plattsmouth and 29-year-old Kristine Anne Morse of Sidney following a twomonth investigation. Morse-Bolton was arrested on one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Class B Felony; one count of Theft in the First Degree, Class C Felony; Fraudulent Practices in the First Degree, Class C Felony; four counts of Theft in the Second Degree, Class D Felonies; and one count of Theft in the Third Degree, an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Morse was arrested on Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Class B Felony; three counts of Forgery, and 16 counts of Tampering with Records, all Aggravated Misdemeanors.
Shen council approves new vehicle policy
By a 3-2 vote, members of the Shenandoah City Council adopted a new vehicle use policy during the council meeting. Co-written by council members Toni Graham and Kim Swank, the policy applies to any city employee that operates a city owned vehicle, whether it be on an occasional or regular basis. Council members Graham, Swank and Don Gibson voted for the new policy, while members Bob Burchett and Aaron Green voted against. Highpoints of the policy include that city officials are only allowed to
use city vehicles during business hours for city business, and the council has the right to deny city officials the use of a city vehicle. Non-city employees, off-duty employees and unauthorized personnel are not to be allowed in city vehicles at any time, with the exception of during business hours when transporting business personnel to work.
Green Plains to expand operations in Essex
Green Plains, Inc, formerly known as Green Plains Renewable Energy, is expanding their venture in Essex. “Grain expansion is a big initiative for us in 2014,” said Green Plains Public Relations Manager Sasha Forsen. “This year we plan to have a 13 million bushel expansion company-wide. Essex is part of that, with 1 million bushels of storage, the expansion that will happen later this year will bring 3.8 million bushels to the Essex location.” No timeline is set, she said, but the Essex City Council approved the land purchase south of the current location along Highway 48 during their meeting this month.
Murder trial set for Shen’s Miller
A Shenandoah man awaits a Tuesday, July 8 trial for murder in San Antonio, Texas. Tyler Miller is accused of participating in a beating that resulted in death last spring. The 2010 Shenandoah High School graduate was arrested March 29, 2013 and was released on $200,000 bond. San Antonio Police believe that Miller beat 47-year-old Baldemar Perez to death.
Brink chosen as Grand Marshal
An Army clerk who served in Japan following its surrender ending World War II has been selected as the 2014 Shenandoah Independence Day Grand Marshal. Glen Brink, who was in Japan for 14 months and additionally served in the Iowa National Guard for 20 years, will lead the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4 through Shenandoah.
Another case of pertussis, or whooping cough, has been confirmed at the Shenandoah K-8 Building. Shenandoah School Nurse, Linda Laughlin, informed parents with students in the 7th grade via phone message that a fellow student has the illness. Laughlin said the ill student is receiving antibiotics for the disease and is not at school. With pertussis confirmed in the Shenandoah district the last week of March, and a few weeks before that in the Essex school system, Laughlin recommends that parents make sure family vaccinations are up to date.
Kissel’s plea
A Sidney pastor, Roger C. Kissel, filed a plea of not guilty in Southwest Iowa District Court on April 9. On Feb. 19, 2014, Kissel was arrested for suspected Sexual Abuse, second degree, Lascivious Acts, and Indecent Exposure. The arrest was made following an investigation which was initiated when a 5-year-old female reported Kissel had sexually abused her.
Kluver sentenced
A 22-year-old Randolph man will be spending the next 20 years in prison for sexaully abusing two minor children. Andrew James Kluver was sentenced to two decades in prison earlier this week by District Court Judge, Kathleen Kilnoski. Prior to the sentencing Kluver admitted to sexually abusing the boys on separate occasions when they were approximately 2-years-old. He added the abuse occurred between 2009 and 2013.
June Bartholomew, Hickeymove on in Supervisor primary
The ballots for the 2014 Iowa Primary Elections are in. Don “Bart” Bartholomew and Randy Hickey took the lead as candidates for chairmen of the Fremont County Board of Supervisors. The election was held Tuesday, June 3. Approximately 12 percent of Fremont County residents voted in the election.
O’Neil, Clark charged with adult abuse
Deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department arrested two women Thursday, June 26 on charges of Dependent Adult Abuse, a class D Felony. The arrests of Tamara Leigh O’Neil, 54 of Shenandoah and JoAnn Clark, 72 of Hamburg came after an investigation initiated by the Iowa Department of Human Services in June 2013 into a Nishna Productions Waiver home that involved a 51-year-old female located in the 200 block of D Street in Hamburg.
Kristan Gray/ The Valley News SKILLFUL SKILLERN...Darby Skillern, a student at Shenandoah High School, warms up prior to the Shenandoah swim meet.
1951 1953 1953 HOWARD
CLOTHING & SPORTING GOODS, INC
600 W. Sheridan Shenandoah, IA
712-246-2231
Lynn Furnace Heating & Cooling 500 Southwest Road Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 712-246-2394
J & R Furniture & Carpets 1215 West Nishna Road Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 (on the south edge of town)
712-246-3640
1954 1955 1955 The hisTorical
Miller, Shearer, Lashier & Co, PC CPA 513 West Sheridan Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 712-246-2029
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
REPURPOSE... Demolition of the Lake Barn near Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah was done over the course of several weeks in the summer of 2014. The good news of having the barn demolished was that the majority of the barn was repurposed in a Clive, Iowa restaurant.
June More than 5 inches of rain in Shen since June 1
The amount of rain received since the beginning of June has been very beneficial to the area. Since June 1 Shenandoah has received 5.32 inches of rain. The National Weather Service in Omaha recorded 1.13 inches of precipitation on June 2; 2.86 recorded on June 4 and 1.16 on June 8. The results were similar in Sidney, who has received 4.41 inches of rain in June. The NWS reported 1.10 inches of rain on June 2; 2.35 on June 4 and .91 on June 8. The normal precipitation for the entire month of June in Shenandoah is 5.53, while in Sidney it is 4.66.
IWCC Shen’s campus to receive a new look
If you haven’t seen any construction-related people or equipment at Iowa Western Community College’s campuses in Clarinda and Shenandoah, just wait. Work at the Page/Fremont County Center in Shenandoah, work calls for major renovation to the building’s exterior.
Reorganization petitions are circulating in ‘Botna District’
Earlier this month, members of the Hamburg and Farragut School Boards independently approved and authorized the circulation of a petition for reorganization of the two districts into one.
July
Those residing in either of the two districts will have the opportunity to sign the petition. Attorney Rick Engel, who has been hired by the districts, said those in the Hamburg District need 241 signatures and 233 in the Farragut District to have the petition move forward.
On Feb. 27, an indictment was issued against Anthony Jay (A.J.) Simmons, 30, charging him with possession of child pornography. On June 5, Simmons appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge, Celeste F. Bremer and entered a plea of guilty to Count I of the indictment.
Sorensen hired as city attorney by Shen Council
Tarkio College might return as a 2-year post secondary school
Mahlon Sorensen was hired by members of the Shenandoah City Council to replace Bob Norris as Shenandoah City Attorney.
No appointment necessary at SMC’s Walk-In Clinic
Beginning July 7, the Shenandoah Medical Center will have a WalkIn Clinic 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Dr. Mary Nissen, DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice), Family Nurse Practitioner is assisting with establishing the walk-in clinic. The clinic will also serve those that do not have an established provider. The clinic practitioner will see such cases as earaches, stitches, urinary tract infections, fevers, sports physicals, twisted ankles, minor fractures, infected wounds – anything that is not an emergency can be seen at the walk-in clinic, said Nissen.
Members of the Tarkio College Board of Directors are in the beginning stages of seeking certification from the Missouri Department of Higher Education to become a twoyear post-secondary school.
SMC plans $20 million expansion, renovation
A $20 million renovation and expansion is planned to begin this fall at Shenandoah Medical Center. Altus Architectural Studios of Omaha was hired. Their plan options include the development of a campus facility that could bring Elm Heights to the property years down the road. The approximated $20 million project includes a site survey, an environmental assessment, a preliminary architects report and scope of work. The architects have worked with staff to develop a conceptual site plan and floor plan.
Simmons pleads guilty to child porn
A Shenandoah man plead guilty in the Southern District of U.S. District Court on one count of Sexual Exploitation of Minors, a felony.
2014 Sidney rodeo grand marshal is Dr. Johnson
“My favorite thing about the rodeo is the food Nah, just kiddin’, I think the rodeo really put Sidney on the map. In the glory days it was really somethin’. I’m proud to have been a part of it. ” Dr. Tom Johnson, a Sidney native, will serve as the 2014 Sidney Iowa Championship Rodeo Grand Marshal. Johnson served as the rodeo’s veterinarian for over 32 years, has belonged to both the Sons of American Legion and Post 128, and has served on the Sidney School Board, the Sidney Library Board, and the George C. Grape Community Hospital Board in Hamburg.
Farragut woman must pay $48,000 for fraud
A Fremont County woman was sentenced to one day in prison and three years of supervised release for committing more than $48,000 in social security fraud. Sharon Jean Manchester, 51, of Farragut accepted a plea agreement Feb. 6 after pleading guilty to committing fraud from October 2008 to July 2013.
Hummel sentenced to 5 years in prison
An Essex man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to the charge of using a computer to transport obscene material. Danny Joel Hummel, 60, was sentenced Friday, July 18, by United States Senior District Court Judge Robert Pratt. In addition to prison time, Hummel also received 10 years of supervised release once out of prison.
Morse pleads guilty to Kevington Lane forgery
A Sidney woman pled guilty to forgery in Fremont County District Court on July 21. Kristine Morse, 29, was placed on informal probation for one year and ordered to pay restitution. The defendant served 10 days in jail prior to entering her plea. Morse pled guilty to forging documents involving Kevington Lane and Morse Enterprises between Aug. 20, 2005 and February 2014. see JULY, Page 8
1962 1965 1971 Orme Electric Co.
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Ron Orme, President 712-246-2900 712-246-9503 - cell Ryan LePorte, Foreman 712-215-5836
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1973 1974 1979 ROBERT D. WILSON President
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Press deadline for this special section was 5pm on December 10, 2014.
PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
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Those we lost in 2014 Marjorie Thomas Thomas Newman Colleen Samuelson Harold Book Oscar Watte Marjorie Barnes Alta Bright Gary Geer Harold Book Mike Sherman Lindy Osborne Rosy Boan Ronald Hickman, Jr. Vera Wellhausen Bill Johnson Margaret Mooney Kathryn Ketcham Dorothy Barrett Evelyn Adams Bud Whitehill Linda Hopkins Michael Jones Helen Orton Chad Dovel Joshua Fritz Blythe Huseman Jerry Perkins Virginia Bohrer Jennifer Odegard Erma Guill Opal Smith Wendell Tackett Angela Brockmeyer Donna Maxine Lysle Nelson Marian Hackett Harold Kirsch Pauline Gowing Jeff Penn Ronald Condon Mable Lawrence Fred Eno Madalene Perkins Vivian Brush James McDonald Mary Leahy Thomas Hoffman Steve Parsons Doris Sandquist Mary Glasgow Ronald L. Wheeler Keith Nelson Jim Harlock Brian Wolkensdorfer Margaret Wheeler Doris Sandahl Marshall Younts Mae Lucille Driftmier Duane Lorimor Max Cumming Joyce McElroy Harriette Latimer Carol Wolford Dennis Fleming Myra McMullen Dorloras “Babe” Martin Dan Camerlinck Verna Rennack Terry Hadden Carl Rosenquist Rhonda Navarro Bob Powell John Knapp Jeffrey Stogdill
see LOST, Page 9
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
PROGRESS...Work continues on the exterior renovation of the Shenandoah Iowa Western Community College location. Construction started in early June and is expected to be completed this fall.
July JULY Continued from page 7
Morse was originally charged with three counts of forgery and 16 counts of tampering with records, all misdemeanors, among other charges.
Norris retires after 45 years of service to the city
On June 30, Shenandoah lost a great lawyer when Shenandoah City Attorney, Bob Norris, retired after 45 years of service.
Ohnmachts chosen as 2014 Essex Grand Marshals
Bob and Elaine Ohnmacht were selected 2014 Essex Grand Marshal’s for the annual Labor Day festivities.
Police assault being investigated by council
Shenandoah City Council members and Shenandoah Mayor Richard “Dick” Hunt are investigating an alleged assault on 20-year-old Drew Bayless of Shenandoah at the hands of Shenandoah Police Officer Derek Baier. Kathy Bayless, Drew’s mother, requested the city’s help with Drew’s medical bills, which were sustained from the assault on New Years Day. Additionally, she questioned if maybe Baier should be dismissed from duty so he doesn’t have the opportunity to injure another citizen.
Shen July water bill up 20 percent
Water costs for Shenandoah residents were increased by 20 percent for the month of July. The reason being: ordinance number 2013-04 took effect July 1.
Shen’s Lake Barn will soon be part of a Des Moines restaurant
Despite several efforts, the Lake Nursery Barn located near Rose Hill Cemetery is being dismantled. Within a couple weeks, the only piece of the barn that will remain will be the cupola. Pat Perkins, who serves on the Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Board of Directors, explained funds to restore the barn weren’t and couldn’t be generated. Additionally, Jay Sweet’s industrial technology classes, who attempted to rehabilitate the barn, were unsuccessful. “We talked to the Iowa Barn Association and they were willing to give us $30,000 if we could raise the rest of the money, but there was no way we could raise the money,” Perkins said. “We all wanted to save the barn because it’s a part of Shenandoah history, but it wasn’t feasible.” Instead the majority of the Lake Barn will be used at a new restaurant to be built in Clive, Iowa, Wobbly Boots Roadhouse.
Water main break leads to boil advisory
The City of Shenandoah was placed in a boil advisory over the last weekend of June. Shenandoah Water Superintendent, Kirk Kemper, explained there was a water main break near the Earl May Seed and Nursery Distributing Center, just outside of city limits..
August to hold water, there can be no leaks whatIssues at new water soever. plant with shrinkage Public hearing leaks, honeycombing to be held Work on the Shenandoah water plant on selling Manti Park is a bit behind schedule due to shrinkage leaks in the filter tanks. Laurie Twitchell Project manager at Fox Engineering said shrinkage leaks are not uncommon and happen in the process of curing. Shrinkage cracks don’t affect the strength or stability of the structure, said Twitchell. However, when that structure is
A public hearing on the possible sale of Manti Park will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26 during the regular meeting of the Shenandoah City Council. Shenandoah Parks and Recreation Director, Mike Laughlin, said members of the Shenandoah Park Board asked him to look into selling the little-used park.
GROWTH...Construction isn’t only occurring around Courthouse Square in Sidney on the Streetscape project, but also north of town where a new Fremont County jail is being built. The facility, said Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, is to be completed on April 1, 2015.
Press deadline for this special section was 5pm on December 10, 2014.
1981 1984 1985 208 Rye Street Shenandoah, IA 712-246-1326
Kirchert Electric
101 Forbes • Essex 712-379-3570
COUNTRY TIRE 712.246.3756 Fax: 712.246.3778 304 Hwy. 59, Shenandoah, IA 51601
shenandoah@countrytire.biz www.countrytire.biz
1986 1992 1993 &
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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LOST Continued from page 8
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
IMPROVEMENT...Volunteers from Shenandoah, Clarinda, and Red Oak spent Sunday, Aug. 24 cleaning up around, and in Johnson Bros. Mill in downtown Shenandoah. The cleanup was spearheaded by Bill Hillman, who owns The Depot Deli, located across the street from the mill.
September Central Surveys sold, business will remain in Shenandoah
A longtime Shenandoah business has a new owner. Earlier this week, Central Surveys was sold to William Fisher, an attorney from Philadelphia. In addition to law, Fisher owns a market research company in California. Charley Parker started Central Surveys in 1937. In fact, Bob is only the third President to run the business, taking over for his father, William M. Longman in the 1970s. Central Surveys employs approximately 35 people and has a payroll of around $400,000 a year, all of which comes into the area from the outside.
O’Neil, Clark to court for abuse
A 51-year-old developmentally disabled woman who was unable to move or ask for help suffered from bedsores so severe that the county attorney described her injuries as “gruesome.” Two people, JoAnn Clark and Tamara O’Neil, who were connected with the care of Lisa Kay Moody have been charged with dependent adult abuse. The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Moody after shed died of pneumonia, did not believe her death was related to the bedsores, Burger said. She had been moved from her home in Hamburg, where she suffered the bedsores, to a nursing home about four months before she died. Clark and O’Neil were charged with dependent adult abuse.
18 on two counts of 2nd degree sex abuse, two counts of lascivious acts with a child and two counts of indecent contact with a child. Michel is charged in connection with an investigation initiated Aug. 26. He is being held in the Fremont County Jail on $30,000 bond.
Farragut, Hamburg boards develop a plan to keep accreditation
Members of the Farragut and Hamburg School Boards came up with an initial plan of action for staying accredited at a special joint school board meeting. The Farragut and Hamburg school districts have less than 30 days to respond to the Iowa Department of Education on how to resolve unaddressed problems with overspending, compliance with state regulations, and accreditation.
Dept of Ed officials address Botna boards
A meeting took place with Iowa Department of Education and Iowa School Budget Review Committee officials in the Farragut gymnasium. The get-together was part of a joint board meeting between the Hamburg and Farragut school boards. Patrons from the Hamburg and Farragut school districts are to vote on whether to consolidate on Dec. 2.
Essex is only local school not on state list
Essex School is one of the few districts in the state to meet the tough academic targets for No Child Left Behind in the 2013-14 school year, according to the State of Iowa’s report card, released Tuesday, Sept. 16. Essex Elementary and Essex Junior/Senior High School met the stands for math proficiency and reading proficiency.
Michel charged with 2 counts sex abuse
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
A 57-year-old Northboro man faces sex abuse charges in Fremont County following an investigation into an incident last month. In a press release from The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Michele “Mike” Michel, turned himself into authorities Thursday, Sept.
Fire departments from Riverton, Shenandoah, Farragut, and Sidney responded to a house fire on Tecumseh Avenue in Farragut Monday morning. The home, which was a total loss, belonged to Anita and Mark Baker. No injuries were reported from the blaze, but the Bakers did lose a few pets.
Deloris McMahon Edith Adwell Shelly Boulton James Almquist Vesta Andrew Harlen Gibson Mary Louise Funkhouser Harold Ayres Eugene H. and L. Blythe Huseman Robert Roof Howard Earl McGuire Forrest Rosenquist Charlene Bisbee Helen Maher Darlene D. Eitzen Deanie Whitehill Payton Casteel Gary Williams Dorothy Johnson Max Thielbar Donna Rae McIntyre Duane Hockenberry James Borders Betty Hendrickson Norma Loghry Dale Cook Fred Goudge Charles Davis Karen Wright Jim Buntz Rod Focht John Miller Lillian Tiemeyer Alice Burns Alyce Mae King Vera Plumb Vern Cox Lois Kluver Gladys Kephart Wanda White Phyllis Almquist George Hughes Dale Morrison Dorothy Vawter Carolyn Sump Helen Mae Sturm Mark and Carol Butler Joan (Nelson) Watterson Earl Hendrickson Paul Guilford Regina Wallin Dorothy Holmes Charles Liles, Jr Marnie Shaum Dorothy Holmes Dale Nuckolls Lester Racine Eleanor Fox Marguerite Hale Lois Maher Viola “Ferne” Long Young Bob Olson Judy Sundeen Keith Craig Jack O’Brien Annie Longstreet Martha Lawrence Travis Hoyt Marion Fichter Tim Ueding Marjy Johnson Richard Price Patsy Martin Joe Lauber Kim Walter Wilma Bashaw Rose Stimson Lee Don Martin Darlene Rupp
see LOST, Page 10
1993 1995 1996 Fareway Food Stores
1007 South Fremont Shenandoah, Iowa
1107 W. Ferguson Road Shenandoah, IA 712-246-5555
720 W. Sheridan • Shenandoah 712-246-1799 www.designoriginals.net
1998 1999 2000
Lu & Al’s
Southwest Foot Ankle Center
&
Nishna Valley Cafe 615 West Sheridan Avenue Shenandoah, Iowa
712-246-2993
Dr. Jeffrey McCoy, D.C. Dr. Matthew Potratz, D.C. 813 Church Street, Shenandoah 712-246-5954
813 Church Street Shenandoah, IA 51601
712-246-5866
PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
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LOST
Continued from page 8
Janet Brister Fern Ebert Laura Moore Phyllis Bloom Marilyn Gruber Ross Collins Geraldine Laughlin Russell Williams June Maher Myrna Karg Lexxus Crooks David Yaple Curtiss Sederburg Harold Rowan Jake Miller Dean Carper Lois Pierson Lynn Baldwin Donald Gillham Patsy Thompson Claude Maxwell Sonny Davis Patsy Sorensen Berniece Davis Connie Lord Francis Chapman Mildred Harris Claude and Alice Sanders Rose Harms Bob Maher Shirley Hart Joe Marsden Harriet Malcom Ann Maher Beth Anderson Aletha Gilbert Gladys Howard Rev. Jo Anne Johnson Naomi Northwall Charlie Adams Virginia Nelson Clifford Barnhart, Jr. Bill Willis Kathryn Rettig Anna Brownlee Barbara Geise Gretchen Tompkins Mary McNeilly Ennie Martin Bob Strange Nonie Gammell Anna Brownlee Mary McNeilly Raymond Paben Fred Short June Greenwalt Jaynie Lorimor Jeraldyne Perkins John Malmberg Kay Neil
DEMO WORK BEGINS...By the end of October, there should be two less vacant buildings in Shenandoah. Crews with Southwest Iowa Parking Lot Maintenance began deconstructing the Nishnaland Seed Building on West Valley. Work on the Radio Shack property will begin as soon as all necessary paperwork has been completed, and contingent upon the weather.
Board approves Munsinger as interim superintendent
October
Following a three-hour closed session, members of the Shenandoah School Board unanimously approved Monte Munsinger as interim Shenandoah Superintendent. Although details were not disclosed, Munsinger said Superintendent Jeff Hiser has been placed on medical leave for an undetermined length of time. Hiser has served as superintendent since 2011.
Botna boards take plan of action to keep accreditation
Members of the Farragut and Hamburg School Districts are pulling together to keep their districts accredited. A joint meeting between the Hamburg and Farragut School Boards took in Farragut to discuss accreditation plans that need to be submitted to the Iowa Department of Education tomorrow. A 30-member Nishnabotna Accreditation Advisory Committee comprised of patrons in both districts have worked tirelessly over the past couple weeks to come up with ideas and plans to address numerous deficiencies found by the IDOE through a summer site visit.
Emporium to close after 41 years of business in Shen
After being a fixture in downtown Shenandoah for 41 years, The Emporium is closing its doors. Owners Bernie and Linda Veak said they have enjoyed the ride, but it’s time for them to retire. It was in 1972 the Veaks opened up the original Emporium at 509½ West Sheridan Avenue. After three years, the shop moved to 613 West Sheridan and in 1999, to 609 West Sheridan.
Kissel to head to trial in December
A pretrial conference for Roger C. Kissel will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 in Fremont County Court. A jury trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2015 in Fremont County. According to court records, Kissel has been charged with seconddegree sex abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure.
Michel pleads not guilty to sex abuse
A Northboro man was arraigned in Fremont County Court Monday by Judge Timothy O’Grady. Michele “Mike� Michel, 57, pled not guilty to the charges of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, two counts of lascivious acts with a child and two counts of indecent contact with a child.
Shenandoah named 25th safest city in Iowa
Safe Choice Security has selected Shenandoah as one of the Top 25 safest cities in Iowa. Safe Choice analyzed 2012 FBI crime statistics when coming up with their top choices for safe cities. Only Iowa cities with populations over 5,000 were considered for this award. With a population of 5,150, Shenandoah barely squeaked into the rankings. Overall, Safe Choice stated in the report that Shenandoah is safer than 31 percent of US cities. According to FBI statistics, Shenandoah’s violent crimes per 1,000 is 1.75 and property crimes per 1,000 stands at 24.27.
Turnbull Child Development Center celebrates 10 years
Turnbull Child Development Center, which specializes in child care for kids age 6-weeks old to 12-years old celebrated their 10-year anniversary this month with a celebration on Friday, Oct. 3.
A 66-year-old Sidney man arrested in February 2014 for allegedly sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl is heading to court in January.
November 130-yearold church to close in June
Similar to smaller, rural schools merging and closing, many small rural churches are facing the same fate. Just recently, members of the Locust Grove Methodist Church,
located about 13 miles southwest of Shenandoah, voted to begin the process of closing and abandoning the church.
911 building, equipment estimated at
$1.2 million
Page County Board of Supervisors asked the architect firm it asked to design the proposed county 911 dispatch building to trim some of the estimated $600,000 price tag. Suggestions for radio equipment to be used by the county and emergency services were also priced at
$600,000.
Fatal house fire
William Daniel, 66, of Riverton died from carbon monoxide poisoning when trying to escape his home, which was on fire. Special Agent John Ticer said it is believed the fire was started by an improperly discarded cigarette.
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Farragut districts to close down buildings
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Members of the Hamburg and Farragut School Boards heard recommendations from Tim Hoffman and Annette Zeplin of Facilities Cost Management Group in reference to facility issues in both districts. Farragut Elementary and the Farragut Vo-Ag buildings would close as well as Hamburg’s Middle School.
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2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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DEMOLITION...Southwest Iowa Parking Lot Maintenance, owned by Trent Tiemeyer, made quick work of the former Radio Shack building on West Sheridan.
November Brian Davis pleads not guilty Hendrickson, Hickey win Brian Davis, who was charged last month with first-degree murder in the July 2009 death of Holly Durben, pled Supervisors race in Sidney not guilty in Fremont County Court Monday, Nov. 24. The written plea was entered by Davis’ attorney, Iowa Public Defender Eric John Nelson.
Cole, SPL honored for their dedication toward youth
After a tight race for the two open spots in the Fremont County Supervisor’s race, a challenger and an incumbent were elected to new four-year terms. Based on unofficial election results, incumbent Randy Hickey was the top vote getter with 1,343 votes, 200 more than the second man elected. However, incumbent Bart Bartholomew and Chuck Larson both lost the second spot to Earl D. “Speck” Hendrickson, Bartholomew by only 19 votes.
Hiser’s contract terminated by Shen Board
Members of the Shenandoah School Board unanimously approved the immediate termination of Shenandoah PROGRESS...Oakview Construction dck, LLC crews conSuperintendent Jeff Hiser during a special school board tinue to work on the construction of the new Shenandoah meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5. water plant on Ferguson Road. An issue facing crews for
Johnson arrested for electronic eavesdropping
Officers with the Red Oak Police Department arrested Aaron Theodore Johnson, 38, Monday, Nov. 3 for electronic and/or mechanical eavesdropping, a serious misdemeanor. Johnson was also arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, a class D felony.
Liljedahl to receive award for AARP volunteering Shenandoah High School Government teacher Jennifer Cole (above holding plaque) and employees of the Shenandoah Public Library were honored Wednesday at the 2014 Shenandoah Schools Teacher of the Year and Friend of Education awards program. The two awards are given annually during National Education Week. Cole, who has been with the district for 10 years, was teary-eyed as she accepted the award. Also suprised and deeply honored were SPL employees Liz Trippler and Joy Stortvedt, who thought they were at the program as mere guests. Trippler commented that they enjoy what they do and that the award is greatly appreciated.
An Essex native and volunteer with the Shenandoah Community Food pantry and other organizations has been nationally recognized. Jeannine Liljedahl was selected to receive the 2014 Andrus Award for Community Service.
National Guard officer becomes Iowa’s first woman in Congress
Republican Joni Ernst, a once-obscure state senator who gained national fame as a former hog castrator, was elected to Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. Ernst defeated U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat, in
several months, as well as city officials, were leaking filter tanks. After several attempts to fix the leaks, they are still leaking heading into the new year.
what had been one of the closest and most heated political races in the country. She’ll be the first woman to represent Iowa in Congress.
Ousted Hiser hires attorney
Former Shenandoah Superintendent, Jeff Hiser, has retained Eric Hanson of the Law Office of Gallner & Patterman P.C. in regards to his recent termination by the Shenandoah School District. In an email sent to The Valley News Saturday, Nov. 8, Hanson said Hiser will, “respond to the allegations of the school board when he has had an opportunity to see what, if any, evidence the district has.
SMC receives $20 million loan for expansion project
The Shenandoah Medical Center was given a big financial boost to their renovation project by the USDA. The hospital will receive a $20.3 million loan through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility program. SMC CEO Karen Cole said the loan will assist with the construction of a two-story medical clinic addition, as well as making various renovations to the existing hospital and clinic building.
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November Shen Eaton employess invent new electrical lockout device Not only do Eaton employees in Shenandoah know how to make exceptional transmissions, they can also invent a device that allows workers to safely diable power to plant equipment at an electrical bus bar. The new electrical lockout device not only improves safety, but significantly improves efficiency of the lockout procedure. Jorge Zedillo, Shenandoah Plant Manager said Eaton’s Vehicle Group is in the process of installing the newly developed Bus Plug Lockout at more than 40 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Maintenance technicians and tool designers at the Shenandoah facility (pictured below) collaborated to invent the device on which a patent application is pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The new device eliminates exposure to arc flashes and working at heights, as well as reduces the former 11-step process to just three steps, saving more than an hour of time. “The new safety device embraces Eaton’s Zero Incident culture and shows the ingenuity of our employees in Shenandoah,” said Zedillo.
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News
PROTEST...Students from Nishnabotna High School took to the streets of Hamburg Wednesday, Dec. 3 to voice their disappointment in Hamburg residents failing to approve a vote Tuesday, Dec. 2 to consolidate with the Farragut School District. Voters in Farragut approved the measure by a vote of 371 For consolidation and 32 Against. In Hamburg, the vote was 264 For consolidation and 271 against.
Decmeber
Nish students protest after measure fails
Nishnabotna High School students took to the streets to voice their disappointment about Dec. 2 reorganization referendum failing by seven votes in the Hamburg Community School District. Voters in Hamburg and Farragut went to the polls in a special election to vote on combining into a joint Nishnabotna school district. The measure was supported in Farragut 371-32, but it failed in Hamburg 271-264. Without approval from both districts’ residents, the reorganization will not be allowed to proceed, putting the future of both districts into doubt. Nish students protest after measure fails
The annual meeting of the Essex Community Club was held on Nov. 20 at Trojan Hall
Essex Community Club Director Melissa Chambers said the event was attended by roughly 70 members and sponsors, and served as a great way to honor those in the community who have helped the organization. “We honored our 2014 Volunteer of the Year, Candice Liljedahl, and also our Sponsor of the Year, which was Tri-Valley Bank,” said Chambers.
Essex school district to hold special election Feb. 2
The Essex School Board met for a work session on Tuesday, Nov. 25 for further discussion on a new HVAC system. The project, estimated at around $800,000, would see the installation of a variable flow HVAC system, paid for by funding from a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL. Essex Superintendent Paul Croghan said the board is still looking at a PPEL with a maximum of 10 years and a maximum of $1.34 per $1,000 valuation. Croghan stressed that the latest meeting was a work session and that no formal decisions were made.
Harris contract not renewed
By a 4-1 vote, members of the Shenandoah City Council failed to renew a two-year contract with Shenandoah City Administrator Bo Harris. Shenandoah Council Member, Bob Burchett, was the lone vote for the renewal. Harris has been city administrator for more than 15 years.
Special election for Ernst seat
A special election will take place for Iowa State Senate District 12 on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Senate District 12 includes the counties of Fremont, Page, Mills, Montgomery, Ringgold, and Taylor County. The special election will choose the replacement of United States Senator-elect, Joni Ernst, who was elected on Nov. 4. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Ernst was State Senator for District 12. She officially resigned as State Senator Friday, Nov. 28, effective immediately.
What’s next for Nishnabotna since measure failed?
After seven votes put the kibosh on a proposed reorganization of two Fremont County school districts, students took to the streets in protest and leaders of the districts went back to the drawing board. Voters in Hamburg rejected the merger of its school district with Farragut on Tuesday by a 271-264 decision, while Farragut ballots were 371-32 in favor of the proposal. The superintendents of both districts said the day after the special election was hectic, with apprehension understandable amid the uncertainties. Hamburg Superintendent Terry Kenealy and Farragut Superintendent Tom Hinrichs both said it is important for residents to understand that neither district plans to shut it doors. Students will continue to attend school in both communities. “We still have a school,” Kenealy said. “We’re going to work hard to provide the best learning opportunities for our kids the rest of the school year.” The districts have a whole-grade sharing agreement for the 2015-16 school year, which should see students attending Nishnabotna Middle School in Hamburg and Nishnabotna High School in Farragut.
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PROTEST...Students from Nishnabotna High School took to the streets of Hamburg Wednesday, Dec. 3 to voice their disappointment in Hamburg residents failing to approve a vote Tuesday, Dec. 2 to consolidate with the Farragut School District.
Press deadline for this special section was 5pm on December 10, 2014.
2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
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WINTER Shenandoah
Nishnabotna
against Clarke - Young was the only Mustang to record victories in both his singles and doubles matches.
Boys’ basketball
Girls’ tennis
Boy’s basketball
Beam’s breakout has been brewing for two seasons, the most recent of which saw him score 13.5 points per night to rank in the Corner Conference’s top ten and also dish out 53 assists, retrieve 25 steals and haul in 5.7 rebounds a game. Opened the Blue Devils’ eagerly anticipated 201415 campaign with 33 points, looking fully prepared to make the final step to the top.
Makonn Anderson Anderson burst on to the scene with 17.8 points and 8.5 rebounds a night to drive a huge Mustang turnaround from one or two wins a season to a 13-11 campaign and postseason victory. Agile in the paint with a wicked post move, he also contributed 24 assists, 26 steals and 16 blocks.
Tyler Beam
Girls’ basketball Girls’ basketball
Cierra Voyles
Serena Parker
Like Essex’s Perkins, Voyles didn’t have her most statistically successful season as a senior, but that result was a byproduct of her expanded role on the court. As a sophomore, she had been a big-time three-point threat playing with a stellar Nishnabotna senior class, but in her fourth year she had to take on more defensive responsibilities and help run the offense, scoring 7.5 points and bringing down 4.4 rebounds per game, while netting 20 assists and 28 steals.
For the second year in a row, Parker was the only Hawkeye 10 player to average a double-double, putting up 17.1 points, third highest, and pulling down a conference-leading 12 rebounds despite drawing triple teams every time she hit the floor. She also displayed stunning all-around athleticism with 20 assists, 25 steals and 73 blocks and shows no signs of letting up this season. Boys’ bowling
Chase Hiser Hiser had been one of the Mustangs’ vocal and emotional leaders from the get-go but, with the graduation of a number of strong seniors, including his brother Kyle, he stepped up to the role of competitive leader as well. His 174.6 game average and 349.2 series average both led Shen to an 8-3 record and no real drop-off from the year before, setting up great expectations for a team with four returning starters in his junior season. Girls’ bowling
JaCee Hogue Bringing a gritty style to every athletic event she enters, Hogue paced a young and talented Fillie team in her sophomore campaign, averaging team highs in both single games, at 161.2, and for a series with a 322.3. Behind Hogue and her gifted underclassmen teammates, the Fillies completed a flawless home record on the year and went 10-1 overall for one of the best regular season marks in the state. Wrestling
Jake Johnson After a promising freshman season, Johnson was set to breakout in his sophomore effort and he did in a big way, winning 41 matches and leading the Mustangs in almost every offensive category. He had 22 falls, three major decisions, 10 decisions, 211 team points, 325 match points and was also at the top of the list in near-falls and reversals, all while competing in one of the toughest weight classes in the area, 132 pounds.
Essex Boys’ basketball
Ian Isaacson In a tough transitional year for Trojan basketball, Isaacson was a big bright spot, following up a promising freshman season with a coming-of-age sophomore showing – 12 points per game with a Corner Conference-leading 45 three-pointers at a 41.7 percent clip and team highs of 37 assists and 38 steals.
Sidney Boys’ basketball
Jacob Cain As an undersized center or overwhelming forward, Cain could fill a multitude of roles for the Cowboys and was one of the area’s most versatile athletes on the court. He averaged 16.6 points a contest, shooting 48 percent from the floor and 35 percent from behind the arc, battled for an 11-board average and was virtually peerless with 40 assists, 58 steals and 79 blocks. Girls’ basketball
Ruth Ellen Gregory With her team in a transitional phase, having lost core seniors from the year before but developing the talents of a standout sophomore class, Gregory took command of the Cowgirls as one of just two seniors and became one of the best shooters in the conference. She raised her point total to almost 10 a game, up four points from the year before, and drained 46 threes, fourth most in the Corner. A well rounded player, she also notched 33 assists and 30 steals and ranked sixth in the conference at 8.6 rebounds per contest.
Boys’ basketball
Aaron Fleuren An established outside threat, Fleuren sacrificed for his team by helping out down low during a season when big men were in short supply. He led the Knights with 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and added 30 assists, 18 steals and 10 blocks. Girls’ basketball
Macy Williams An impact player from the moment she took the floor as a freshman, Williams expanded her reach as a junior hoping to take her team to state. She remained the Lady Knights’ top scorer with a career-high 18.5 points per game, hitting 60 three-pointers along the way at better than 38 percent and converting a conference-high 84.5 percent of her free throws, but also moved into the Corner’s top spot for assists with 167, committing just 35 turnovers, and ranked fifth with 79 steals.
Boys’ golf
Steven Martin
Martin entered the Hawkeye 10 varsity golf fray as a freshman with no fear, cracking the top 20 with a ninehole average of 40.40 and a low round of 35. His competitive streak was on display early as he pushed the Mustangs’ lone senior, all-around superstud Jackson Baker, in practice and meets toward greater things, leading a hugely promising youth movement in the Shenandoah boys’ program. As a sophomore with multiple varsity sports season under his belt, he will likely inherit a good deal of the leadership role for the team in the spring to come and should elevate his game even higher. Girls’ golf
Adrian Ruzek
Ruzek brought years of varsity experience into her senior campaign and never failed to provide great leadership for a young and transitioning Fillie team. Her 51.60 scoring average over five nine-hole outings was second to classmate Jasmine Woolery’s but her 18-hole card was the best of any Shen girl’s by a full three strokes. Her final season came a frustrating two strokes close to advancing past the first postseason round, but she left having set the program on a great course for the future.
Essex Boys’ track
Cody McClintock
Southwest Iowa Wrestling
Girls’ track
Craig Rice A state veteran from the year before, Rice entered his junior season knowing what it would take to make it back and went to work, battling through tough matchups from 113 pounds all the way up to 126 over the first couple weeks of the schedule. Locking in at 113 after the holiday break, he picked up steam through the final weeks of the regular calendar, nabbed one of two advancing spots at sectionals and then fought back with a pair of major decisions to do the same at Districts. The only Warrior to make state in 2014, Rice lost in the first round but scored a fall with two seconds to go in his second match to make it to Saturday, a big platform to build on for his senior campaign this year.
Seana Perkins
Fremont-Mills
Ascending to the Fillies’ No. 1 spot as a junior, Dailey rose distinctly to the challenge and compiled one of the best individual records for a top-spotter in the history of the program. In doing so, she also led the Shen girls to a 9-2 regular season record and huge double-win day in the sub-state round at Glenwood, battling for a pair of tiebreaker wins to power the Fillies into the next round and one step from state. With all but one starter back, the Shen girls will follow Dailey’s lead again in 2015 and look to make that final leap.
In a bit of a rebuilding year for the Trojans, McClintock emerged as a future star in his sophomore season. With speed and stamina, he earned almost half the Essex total at the Corner Conference track and field meet, taking fourth in the mile and anchoring the Trojans’ third-place Distance Medley effort.
Girls’ basketball Perkins, a star since her freshman debut, did not have her best season in 2013-14 but may have had her most impressive. Without the deep supporting cast of previous years, she had to fight twice as hard for points and still managed almost 13 per game while dishing out an also team-high and Corner top-ten 76 assists, rounding out her excellent career with 49 steals and 4.0 rebounds a night
Hannah Dailey
SPRING Shenandoah Boys’ track
Sam Kroepel Kroepel’s speed was just one element of his all-around athleticism on the football field and baseball diamond, but during track season found its natural showcase. A solo star through much of his career, Kroepel closed the book with a third trip to state as the leader of three Mustang sprint relays that each included two sophomores, passing the baton as well as the torch to a new generation of Shenandoah speedsters. Girls’ track
Delaney Kinghorn Kinghorn was the Fillies’ hurdle and high jump specialist and made the most of her talents at the state qualifying meet in Treynor, anchoring the Shenandoah girls’ Shuttle Hurdle squad to a surprise win and state bid and punching her own solo ticket to the Blue Oval with a season-best high jump of 4’ 10”. Boys’ tennis
Bradley Young After a cross country season in which he stepped up as the only senior to lead Shen to a surprising fifth-place finish at the state meet, Young was more than ready to do the same for the Mustang tennis team. Holding the No. 2 spot behind talented foreign exchange import Phillip Meier, Young was consistently aggressive and always came through in the clutch, nowhere more so than in his final day of competition. With the team trying to reach state and just one step away – an effort that would fall short
Regan Burns
Burns had battled Nishnabotna thrower Carissa Pabolo over the past two years, and saw her 2013 season end when Pabolo out-putted her at the Corning qualifier. But Burns returned to dominate in her senior campaign, setting both the shot and discus marks for the Corner Conference and earning a trip to Drake Stadium and the state finals to cap her career.
Fremont-Mills Boys’ track
Parker Powers
When Powers lifted off the Underwood earth on April 17 of his freshman season and soared over a bar balanced at 6’ 4” high, it wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but it certainly caught a lot of people’s attention. Raw, but with rapidly developing technique, Powers made it all the way to Drake Stadium where he cleared 6’ 2” to technically finish 11th, but remain just one achievable leap from the medal stand. Girls’ track
Kelsey Hurley
A one-woman army since she first laced ‘em up as a freshman, Hurley was easily the most impressive track star around, winning 100-, 200-, and 400-meter titles, decimating the competition in the high jump and bringing her individual gifts to the Distance Medley squad. A triple medalist at the state meet, the then-junior took second in the high jump, fifth in the 200 and eighth in the distance med with her teammates.
Nishnabotna Boys’ track
Chad Blank
The big shocker at the 2014 Corner Conference track meet came when the final results were announced and the Blue Devils heard they had edged Sidney by a point for third place. No one contributed more to the upset than Blank, who picked up third-place points in the 100 and 200, a silver in the long jump and ran the opening leg of the fifth-place Distance Medley relay. Girls’ track
Carissa Pabolo Though she didn’t end up at the state meet, competing in see SPORTS, Page 14
PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
14C
Jason Glenn/ The Valley News
THE HARD KNOCK LIFE... Nishnabotna senior Anne-Marie Maher belts a kill across the net at Stanton during an early-season Blue Devil match.
SPORTS
Continued from page 13
the pits just north of the famed Blue Oval as she had to end her breakout junior season, Pabolo was still the consistent lead of the Lady Devils’ track and field squad. With a third-place finish in the shot put and a fourth in the discus, she accounted for almost a third of the Nishnabotna girls’ team total at the Corner Conference meet. Boys’ golf
Jared Williamson The improvement in Williamson’s game was apparent from the start as he took fifth place in the Fremont County boys’ showdown tournament and he kept it steady all season, complementing team leader Tyler Beam with a 47.20 scoring average over nine holes and 92.50 over 18 in just his sophomore year. As a junior this coming spring, he and Beam should give the Blue Devils a potent one-two punch to challenge not only for solo crowns but for team titles in area events.
in nine-hole average, his 18-hole mark was fifth in the conference and his low round of 82 sat just fourth on the list. Girls’ golf
Sabrina Hernandez A transfer student who arrived the previous fall, Hernandez made an immediate impact on the Warrior girls’ golf complexion, challenging for tournament titles with an aggressive stance in the tee box and soft touch on the greens. Averaging a 46 over nine holes and a 97 over 18 and never shying from competition even against the bigger programs, she remained consistent through the spring and into the postseason, finishing fourth in the Sectional meet to qualify for the penultimate District round and set the stage for a state push in her final effort to come.
SUMMER Shenandoah Baseball
Girls’ golf
Jackson Baker
Miranda Scroggie
Baker was a light shining through some of Shen’s darkest athletic days and arguably the best player on any of four sports teams through the final two seasons of his high school career. But he saved the best for last with his post-graduate baseball campaign, setting batting records with 51 hits and a .500 average, shoring up the Mustang bullpen with three wins and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings and providing a dependable, steadying presence in the field at shortstop.
Without the numbers to compete as a team, Blue Devil junior Scroggie and her senior teammate Nickole Schwartz fed off of one another all season, having fun on the course but never failing to put their best effort forward. Scroggie ended up with the low nine-hole average of the two over five outings, but in their two 18-hole events, Schwartz came in with the slightly better score. The dynamic worked best when they needed it most, both Nish girls cracking the top five at Sectionals to move within one round of the state tournament.
Sidney Boys’ track
Chris Osborn Osborn performed amazing feats in every season, but arguably none so singularly awesome as the day he won District titles in both the shot put and the 110-meter dash, roughly 15 minutes apart from one another. Osborn’s unparalleled explosiveness earned him three tickets to the state meet in his final year of competition, in the aforementioned, seemingly disparate disciplines and as a member of the Cowboys’ 4x200 relay quartet.
Softball
Devon Wood As a junior, Wood blossomed into the Fillies’ bona fide superstar, as dangerous on the mound as she was at the plate. Her 2.09 ERA was tops in the tough Hawkeye 10 and she led the Shen girls with a .507 slugging percentage, seven doubles, 17 RBIs and 14 walks, was second with 24 hits, 23 runs scored and a .358 batting average, and tattooed the Fillies’ only home run of the season. Behind the plate, she was every bit as good, carrying a team-high .965 fielding percentage with only three errors in 85 chances.
Essex Baseball
Girls’ track
Tucker Scott
Mackenzie Daffer
After rocketing to the top of the Corner batting charts in his junior campaign, Scott proved it was no blip with an even better senior season. His. 533 average was second in the conference as was his .733 slugging percentage thanks to three doubles, three triples and a home run, but his 32 hits were No. 1 with a bullet. He was also one of the more productive shortstops in the area, notching 28 assists and 26 putouts.
Recovering from foot surgery through her freshman season in 2013, Daffer still somehow made it to the state meet in two events. Healthy as a sophomore, she hit the maximum four with bids in the 400, 800, 800 relay and Sprint Medley squad, medaling with a seventh-place finish in the 400 meters and finishing a third of a second out of another in the open 800. As with Hurley, the sky’s the limit this coming spring.
Southwest Iowa Boys’ golf
Gavin Driskell Driskell came out of the gate strong, winning the individual title at the Fremont County boys’ invitational, and never looked back. As a sophomore with a couple of talented upperclassmen ahead of him on the roster, he ended up with the Warriors’ lowest scoring average for the season as well as the low nine-hole and 18-hole rounds and cracked the top ten of a tough Corner Conference lineup dominated by East Mills. While he ranked ninth
Softball
Skylar Ross Ross was a gritty, all-around hustler who role played on other Trojanette teams, but lived in her element on the diamond. She closed her career doing what she did best, bashing softballs to the tune of a .449 batting average, .628 slugging percentage, 40-run, 35-hit onslaught. With four doubles, two triples and two homers, she had power and speed, nowhere more evident than in her conference-leading 39 stolen bases.
Fremont-Mills Baseball
Mackenzy Lang Lang was solid and timely at the plate, ranking second in the Corner Conference with 24 RBIs, but it was on the mound that he inflicted the greatest amount of damage to opponents’ pride. With 108 Ks, he more than doubled the second-best total in the conference and, doing it in just under 60 innings, he could be counted on for nearly two outs in every inning he took the hill. His 2.58 ERA ranked second among regular pitchers, as did holding opposing players to a meager .141 batting average. Softball
Taryn Williams Superlatives don’t do the destruction Williams unleashed on the diamond justice, particularly in the first half of her junior season. She exploded out of the gate, hitting a round-tripper every other game on average. In her first 10 games, the junior had four triples and four home runs, both of which were at or near the Corner Conference lead for the entire season. Led the conference and set multiple team records with 41 runs, seven doubles, six triples, eight homers, 37 RBIs and a 1.000 slugging percentage, the third-highest in all of Class 1A ball.
Nishnabotna Baseball
Robby Bruce The best natural catcher in the business, Bruce knew how to get the most out of his plate appearances, scoring 29 runs and driving in 15 RBIs with a solid but not astounding 18 hits and .316 batting average. Compact and powerful with a cannon arm, he nonetheless fit perfectly into the Blue Devils’ aggressive attitude on the basepaths, going 15-for-15 on steals and stretching out seven doubles to tie for second in the conference. Softball
Kennedy Hughes With a winless record, Nishnabotna had a difficult slog through the softball season to say the least, but Hughes’ performance shed a ray of hope on a 2015 turnaround. As a sophomore, she posted a .250 slugging percentage with three doubles, or half the team’s extra-base total. In the field, she was one of the more aggressive shortstops in the Corner, covering a wide swath and racking up 27 assists and 11 putouts with a potent arm.
Sidney Baseball
Michael Coates Coates is a peerless competitor, fierce on any given field of play, but the baseball diamond might just be where his greatest raw talents are displayed. In his junior season, he had to call on many of them, catching, pitching and even holding down the hot corner to help the Cowboys make a late-schedule surge at a conference crown. His .357 batting average ballooned to a .524 slugging percentage with three doubles and two triples as he scored 15 times and drove in another 13 RBIs in just 42 at-bats. Softball
Quinn Sheldon In volleyball and basketball, Sheldon is scrappy and a key role player, but often overshadowed by some of her superstar classmates. On the diamond, it’s her turn
to shine and she did so brightly with a .435 batting average, .661 slugging percentage and 10 extra-base hits in just 62 at-bats, all among the top six in the conference. With four or five more games, comparable to some other Corner squads, she likely would have been up there in runs, hits and RBIs, as well. Despite being just a sophomore during the 2014 season, she was very disciplined at and behind the plate, striking out just five times and quarterbacking the Cowgirls to seven wins in their first 10 games.
FALL Shenandoah Football
James Valquier
Valquier was a beast of a linebacker for the Mustangs, patrolling the second level, attacking the line of scrimmage and always eager to make contact with a ballcarrier. He led the District in tackles with 96, a whopping 71 of them coming on solo efforts, and dropped opponents in their own backfield more than 10 times. Wrapping up a great career with his most all-out effort and achievement, Valquier was named Class 2A-8’s Defensive Player of the Year and the Shenandoah MVP. Volleyball
Sydney Nielsen
The recently crowned All-Area Player of the Year and an all-state selection, Nielsen diversified from simply an attack-oriented outside hitter to a dominant all-around presence on the court. It was no surprise she showed up near the top of the Hawk 10 charts with 315 kills, but she also ranked among the conference’s elite in assists with 174, digs with 219, and blocks with 64, amassing the productivity of three players into one super-talented package. Boys’ cross country
Joe Blake
Blake was the Mustang leader almost wire-to-wire, capturing three meet crowns early in the season and crossing the line ahead of his teammates in all but one race, the state qualifier in Panora where his good friend Austin Feller picked up the lone title of his career in becoming District champion and Blake was runner up. Blake moved back to the front of the pack when the Mustangs hit the trail at the state meet in Fort Dodge and led the Shen boys to their third straight fifth-place finish. Girls’ cross country
Erica Munsinger
Like Blake, Munsinger was the top finisher for the Fillies in all but one race over the course of the 2014 season, consistently pushing the Shen-Essex pack to gain ground with tireless leadership.
Essex Football
Austin Woods
Big, strong, fast and deceptively athletic, Woods led the Trojans on both sides of the ball, averaging a District-high 10.4 yards per carry on 39 rushes, including a 65-yarder, and posting the third-best tackle total in eight-man 8 with 91.5, 69 of which came without an assist. Even though Essex struggled through an 0-9 campaign in his final season, Woods never backed away from a challenge and, more often than not, came out on the winning end. see SPORTS, Page 15
2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014 PAGE
15C
Jason Glenn/ The Valley News JACOB’S LADDER... Sidney’s Jake Cain goes up for a block against East Mills during the Corner Conference championship game in Malvern.
SPORTS Continued from page 14
Volleyball
Kym Graham The Trojanette volleyball team also had a difficult, transitional kind of season, but Graham was as steady and aggressive as ever, ranking 10th in the Corner Conference with 166 kills, serving above 90 percent and delivering 198 digs to sit at No. 12 among her peers on that list. Her kills per set mark of 2.24 was fifth on the final conference leader board.
Fremont-Mills Football
Spencer Phillips Though Phillips’ statistics were actually down somewhat relative to last year, he was probably more of an asset to the Class eight-man runner-up Knights due to the amount of attention opponents had to focus on him during games. Still, the two-time all-state selectee was no slouch, leading the District in rushing with 1,337 yards at just shy of 10 yards per touch and ranking second in tackles with 102.5 from his longtime linebacking stronghold. For those reasons and many others, not the least of which was his unrelenting leadership, Phillips was recently named the All-Area Football Player of the Year. Volleyball
Delaney Langfelt The Lady Knights had plenty of “wow” factor with their dominant attack game at the net, but it was junior setter Langfelt, tucked quietly in behind the big guns, who drove the show night in and night out. Solid as ever with a Corner-leading 588 assists at 7.35 per game – more than three above the next best – she also led in serving efficiency at .980, had 38 aces, 139 digs and even got in on 10 blocks. F-M will be looking for hitters to step up next year, but Langfelt will be more than ready to serve them up volleyballs ideally situated to hit.
Nishnabotna Football
Andrew Welch
With his team suffering through losing season after losing season over the last few, struggling to regain their former prominence, it seemed at times like Welch was trying to drag them there single-handedly. That situation typically offers few places to hide from opponents and they all saw him coming in 2014, but he still ranked among the District top five in rushing yards (912), total offense (985 yards) and tackles (91). The most fitting and infuriating aspect of his career was its end, Welch leaving the field on a stretcher with torn knee ligaments, but inspiring his teammates to a come-from-behind, turn-the-corner season-ending win over Stanton. Volleyball
Anne-Marie Maher Maher has been a big-time player for ages, it seems, prompting opposing coaches to ask even two years ago if she was a senior yet. Now that she is one, she spent the volleyball season taking on even more of a dynamic leadership role with the Blue Devils. She performed her typical all-around magic – 186 kills, .943 serving efficiency, 38 aces, 170 digs – but also tried to bring along a new batch of Nish stars the way she was mentored years ago. Cross country
Martha Dykstra As the lone Nishnabotna cross country runner this season, Dykstra literally was the program and, in a preseason interview, outlined some relatively modest goals. Simply aiming to beat 20 minutes over a 2.4-mile course – her best from the previous season – Dykstra did that and more, likely surprising even herself with a couple of top ten finishes at early meets. Running, she said, was simply something she enjoyed doing, but that didn’t prevent her from taking it seriously enough to get competitive in a campaign where she represented the Blue Devil blue with pride.
Sidney Football
Erick Rodriguez With the exception of Fremont-Mills’ Mackenzy Lang, nobody in the District was as varied a threat on the football field as Rodriguez. He was a lightning bolt bulldozer out of the backfield, averaging over seven yards per carry on 110 attempts, caught 13 passes for another 265 yards, scored 16 touchdowns among his 125 total points, made
19 of 20 PATs and two of three field goals, drilled 51 of 58 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and still had time to terrorize offenses to the tune of 56 tackles, 7.5 of those in the backfield. Volleyball
Lexy Larsen
As cool as they come, Larsen was the steadying, yet aggressively attacking, force behind a rapid rise for the Cowgirl volleyball squad. She finished second in the Corner Conference with 305 kills at an impressive .273 efficiency and also served 96 percent at the line with 35 aces. Always on focus in the interim, she rallied for 247 digs to crack the top ten in that category as well. With no seniors on their roster, the Cowgirls will be completely intact in 2015 and Larsen will likely lead them on a direct course for the top of the conference.
Southwest Iowa Boys’ cross country
Logan Gaylord
Splitting his time between cross country and the Knights’ football team’s demanding run toward a championship game appearance, Gaylord was the Warrior varsity’s most consistent finisher and sometimes the only competitor. Just a sophomore, he had chances to shine in both of his fall athletic activities and will certainly become an even more integral part of both teams, should he continue to choose the grueling two-sport lifestyle. Girls’ cross country
Mackenzie Hulsing
Hulsing not only qualified for state as a freshman, she finished in the top 15, and all while doubling up with a spot on the Cowgirls’ volleyball team. As a sophomore she had the same lofty expectations, but with an increased role on the court and a class schedule that wasn’t as accommodating to a two-sport practice routine, she struggled to regain her running form of a year before. Mind you, she was still finishing races in the top five or ten spots and definitely among the elite of southwest Iowa. Unfortunately, the toll might have caught up with her at the state qualifying meet in Panora, where she was in position to advance but collapsed with about a mile to go, her body simply refusing to take her any farther. A true competitive warrior, she’ll be back twice as determined in 2015.
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PAGE 2014 Reflections & Projections • Saturday, December 27, 2014
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Molly Longman/The Valley News ROYALTY...Contestants in the 2014 Fremont County Fair Queen contest were, from left, Bailey Wilson, Miss Congeniality, Olivia White, Nickole Schwartz, 2013 Fair Queen Adrienne Alexander; 2014 Queen Olivia Schaaf, first runner up Mckenzie Ross, Jennifer MacDonald, Jessica Jamison, and second runner up Tayler Holt.
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News EXPANSION...Employes of First Heritage Bank in Shenandoah will ring in 2015 COOL AT THE POOL...One of the more popular places to go in the summer is with a nice expansion that includes offices, a break room, and conference room. the Wilson Aquatic Center in Shenandoah.
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News Photo provided REMODEL...Skateland was closed over the summer of 2014 when a major ren- PLAY...Sidney High School presented the play, Legend of Sleepy Hollow in ovation of the facility was done on the inside. Pictured is Matthew Volker. 2014.
Jason Glenn/The Valley News PROM TIME...Olivia Schaaf and her date walk into Fremont-Mills prom, which took place in April.
Tess Gruber Nelson/The Valley News FEBRUARY SNOW...More than four-inches of snow fell in Page and Fremont Counties Tuesday, which cancelled schools in the area and made for hazardous driving conditions.