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EAGLE
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Volume 130
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Issue Number 1
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Cost $1.25
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Thursday, January 7, 2016
In
Supervisors begin business for 2016 Kacey Ginn, editor wrightcomonitor@gmail.com
The first item of business for the county supervisors at their first 2016 meeting was to elect a new board chairman. Supervisor Rick Rasmussen nominated Stan Watne to serve as chairman for the year. Former chairman Karl Helgevold seconded the nomination, and the appointment was approved. Both Watne and Rasmussen thanked Helgevold for his service in the last year, especially regarding the difficulties he faced during the bird flu outbreak. “You were plowing new ground, but you did do an excellent job,” Watne said. “I know more about chickens now than I ever knew in my life,” Helgevold joked. That done, Watne presided over the rest of the meeting. Treasurer Peggy Schluttenhofer spoke to the board about obsolete delinquent taxes. Two properties that had formerly held mobile homes and the lots belonging to two former businesses had incurred penalties, in one case $32,000 worth. However, due to bankruptcy and ownership change, and time—in some cases, the taxes went back to 1995— Schluttenhofer had no route through which to collect what was due. The two real estate lots are now under new ownership with taxes being paid. Helgevold had questions about how ownership could have been transferred if back taxes were still due. “You have to clear the title, otherwise you’re not going to get marketable title,” he said. “The trustee who was issued the bankruptcy should have taken care of it.” There was, however, nothing to be done about the 20-yearold error. “The code section 445.16 allows me to deem it impractical to pursue
collection of taxes,” she said. “I’m assuming this happens quite a bit if it’s in the code section for me to take care of it.” “It’s probably the only practical thing you can do, isn’t it?” Watne asked. After some discussion, the supervisors moved to deem the delinquent taxes impractical to collect and approved the motion. At 9:30 a.m., four members of the Wright County Fair Board gave an annual update, with Tricia Rosendahl giving the report. Rosendahl had good news regarding the fair’s show arena, which was built in 2013. All of the $750,000 cost has been covered and paid back except for $41,889. “In just a couple of years, we have the support to almost completely pay back the building,” Rosendahl said, adding they had planned to have it paid back in five years. “We have just one small pledge that hasn’t been kept to date, otherwise everything is being paid in full… we’re very proud of that.” She reported that the fair’s sponsorship program had raised more than $61,000 in 2015 and $521,000 over its 12 years. She also commented that though they had decided against allowing live birds at the poultry show even before the state had banned it last year, they hoped to allow it again provided the bird flu does not return. “As of this time, we are planning to have a poultry show back at the fair,” she said. Last, the fair board requested funding. “We are here seeking our current level again. We would appreciate your support at the same level as the past,” Rosendahl said. The supervisors promised it would be considered when they set the budget during this month and February. The supervisors also listened
to Jen Sheehan, the county social services coordinator, who spoke about her program’s intent to assist other counties with case management. Sheehan said that with the state pushing toward privatized Medicare, the designated providers had been hiring lots of new people. The social services offices in neighboring counties had become shorthanded with employees leaving to work for the care providers. “We are in a position where we can assist other counties,” she said. She added that they had one employee who lives in Humboldt County, and so will be scheduled to work out of Humboldt’s office on certain days to take cases. “We just want to do it until managed care is in place,” Sheehan said. “Then I think at that time we’ll be able to evaluate better if it would be better for those counties who have lost staff to re-hire or not.” The supervisors also looked at some regular yearly approvals, including a mileage compensation rate for county work and the drainage warrant interest rate, which were approved for the same amounts as 2015, 48 cents per mile and 6 percent respectively. Petty cash funds for offices were approved, and members of the eminent domain compensation commission were appointed, which included the same members as last year with the addition of Brandon Thompson and the removal of Don Ellis. Adam Clemons was reappointed county engineer, Dave Johnson was re-appointed as drainage attorney, and The Wright County Monitor, the Eagle Grove Eagle, and the Belmond Independent were re-appointed as the board’s official newspapers.
this week’s Eagle You’ll find More than 200 Faces inside this week’s Eagle
Year in Review Pages 2 & 3 Jennifer and Joe Blacksmith are the proud new parents of Wright County’s first baby of 2016...meet Harper Corrine Blacksmith. Photo provided
Mayor’s Report
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Wright County’s first baby of 2016 is a girl
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by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net Harper Corrine Blacksmith is Wright County’s first baby of 2016. Harper’s parents, Joe and Jennifer Blacksmith, are excited to have her join their family, which includes two four-legged friends, Dutchess and Sig, who were waiting patiently at home to meet their new little girl. Harper entered the world at 11:06 a.m. New Years Day, weighing in at a tiny 5 lbs. 4.8 oz. She is 19.25 inches long with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. She was born a little early, but everyone is excited to have her here. “Harper was the best New Year’s surprise. ‘Surprise’ because she came early via an emergency C-section...but we received phenomenal care. We couldn’t have expected any better,” agreed Joe and Jennifer. “We want to thank our ‘A-Team’ including Dr. Amanda Tew, Dr. Emily Hill, Dr. Mike Whitters, Jim Dorn, Beth Buchholtz, and nurses Mel Carrigan, Nikki Jones, and Amy Bahsen.” “It’s always fun to see who the first baby of the New Year will be,” said Casey Howell, OB leader and certified lactation counselor at Iowa Specialty Hospital. “It is especially exciting this year because Jennifer is one of our own.” Jennifer and Joe are originally
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from Missouri, but now live in Clarion because of a job opening at Iowa Specialty Hospital for Jennifer where she is a psychologist. Joe is a conductor for Union Pacific. “The first delivery of the New Year is always exciting, however, this year was a little more exciting than normal due to the circumstances, but everything came out beautifully,” said Dr. Tew who delivered Harper with Dr. Emily Hill. The lucky couple and their new daughter also received a number of gifts from area businesses including, from Belmond: Value Belmond and Lyric Theatre. From Clarion: Daisy’s on Main, Envy, Wright Choice Chiropractic, First Citizens National Bank, Security Savings Bank, Main Street Style, Hearts and Flowers, Hair Studio, Shopko, Lifetouch, First State Bank, Fuel, Imagine, Snack Village, Thrifty White, Dr. Tew and Staff, and Wright County Public Health. From Humboldt: Floral Creations. From Eagle Grove: Knutzon’s Gifts. Other: Heather Smith with Thirty-One Gifts, Casey Howell and Family, Sharon Geisinger, Granny’s Mixing Bowl, We Care Chiropractic of Clear Lake, and Iowa Specialty Hospital OB Staff. “Thank you to everyone for the donations. The congratulations we received were overwhelming,” said Joe and Jennifer.
Basketball Camp Change Letter to Editor Sports Year in Review Page 10
EGHS returning winter letter winners Page 11
New dates for basketball camp Page 11
EGHS concert Page 12
Briefly Wright Warriors 4-H meeting Sunday, Jan. 10 3 p.m. Samuel Lutheran Church
Kumla Supper/ Baked Potato Bar Sunday, Jan. 17 5:30 - 7 p.m. Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church Advance tickets only available at Church office, Knutzon’s, and Christ Furniture All proceeds to benevolence
EGHS Golden Stars Drill Team Night Saturday, Jan. 23 7 p.m. Elementary Gym
Chamber Banquet
Area kids and adults slide into the new year duirng winter break Judging by all the footprints in the snow, the Eagle Grove Golf Course hills have been packed with kids and adults during the holiday break from school. Saturday afternoon, Jan. 2, was the perfect day for several local families to get out and enjoy some time in the snow as they flew down the hills on their sleds, toboggans, and snow boards. The sun shined bright as did the smiles on everyone’s faces as they spent some time in the great outdoors. Pictured above, at left: Ava Kienzle flies down the hill head first. Pictured above, at right: Elizabeth Varland holds on as her sled sends her spinning down the hill. Photos by Kim Demory
Monday, Jan. 25 5:30 Social 6 Dinner Eagle Grove Golf Course Everyone welcome