Pioneer Enterprise
Sheffield Press
Sigourney News-Review
LEA EADER
THE
The Leader
Village Vine
Donating hair in Wesley 5b
What Cheer Paper
Former kid
Hole in one
page 3a
page 6a
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
WWW.THELEADERONLINE.NET
Dippel crowned 2016 County Fair Queen
News at a glance
Allison Wirtjes named Princess
Garner Aquatic Center
GARNER - Garner Aquatic Center patrons are asked to please check the Garner Aquatic Center’s Facebook page or call the Aquatic Center, 641-923-2995, before heading to the Pool to make sure it is open. A number of things beyond the Aquatic Center’s control - bad weather, mechanical breakdowns, pool contamination, and lack of available lifeguards, can prevent the Aquatic Center from opening scheduled hours.
Goodell Sewer Project
GOODELL – An informational meeting for the sewer project at Goodell will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m., at the Goodell Community Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Community calendar Thursday, August 4
Garner farmer’s market will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the corner of State St. and Hwy 18 in Garner. Lake Area Quilters Guild will meet at 7 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 105 S 4th St., Clear Lake. Wash Tub Quilts of Klemme will present, there is no charge, public is invited. Saturday, August 6 Moped class will be held at the Garner Education Center, 325 W 8th St. from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by calling 888-466-4222, ext. 4358 or 641-422-4358. Monday, August 8 Hancock County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. in Board Chamber, Garner. Tuesday, August 9 Corwith Council meets. Kanawha Council meets at 6 p.m. Garner Council meets at 7 p.m. in Council Chamber, City Hall. Garner American Legion Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. at the Garner Rec Center. Thurs-Sun., Aug.11-14 National Hobo Convention is celebrated in Britt. Thursday, August 11 Garner farmer’s market will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the corner of State St. and Hwy 18 in Garner. Sunday, August 14 American Legion fundraiser breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the VFW in Garner. Kinney Pioneer Museum is holding its annual Pioneer Kids Fun Day from 1 to 5 p.m. at the museum (Hwy 122 West at entrance to Mason City airport). There will be inflatables, activities and demonstrations. Monday, August 15 Hancock County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. in Board Chamber, Garner. GHV School Board meets at 7 p.m. in high school media center. West Hancock School Board meets. Tuesday, August 16 Britt Council meets at 7 p.m.at City Hall. Thursday, August 18 Garner farmer’s market will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the corner of State St. and Hwy 18 in Garner. Friday, August 19 Kanawha Library Adult Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. to Continued on page 2 August 4-10
The Legend of
Tarzan Friday & Saturday
| VOL. 144, NO. 31 | $1 PER COPY/90¢ DELIVERED
Rebecca Peter
gleadernews@qwestoffice.net BRITT – A young lady from Belmond will be representing Hancock County at the Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant in August. Natalee Dippel was crowned the 2016 Hancock County District Fair Queen on Wednesday, July 27. Wednesday’s events also included the crowning of the 2016 Hancock County Fair Princess, Alison Wirtjes. Both young ladies assisted with presenting ribbons and awards at various fair events. Queen Natalee Dippel The daughter of Kay and Jo Kern of Belmond, and Dennis Dippel, Natalee will be a senior at Belmond-Klemme High School. Dippel is a member of the Belmond-Klemme FFA and the Elcon Indians 4-H Club. She exhibited goats and swine at the fair. In addition to FFA and 4-H, Natalee is involved with a local thespians group. She enjoys assisting elemen-
science. Princess Allison Wirtjes Allison Wirtjes is the daughter of Greg and Kristi Wirtjes of Forest City. The 2016 princess was crowned by the 2015 Hancock County Fair Princess Elise Wirtjes, Allison’s older sister. Allison will in the 5th grade. When she grows up, she would like to be a veterinarian or a doctor. She participated in the bucket bottle calf event at the 2016 fair. The first runner-up was McKenzie Lyman, daughter of Lynn Eekhoff and Trent Lyman. Other participants in the princess pageant were: Madelyn Bourg, daughter of Jennifer Bourg and Joey Bourg; Avery Williams, daughter of Eric and Amanda Williams; Kaylynn Bahling, daughter of Dan Bahling and Jolene Vrieze; Danielle Nelson, daughter of Dan And Jennifer Nelson; Jennifer Karsjens, daughter of Valerie and Marty Karsjens; and Jenna Johnson, daughter of Paige and Jake Johnson.
Rebecca Peter
gleadernews@qwestoffice.net BRITT – One of the most popular attractions at the 2016 Hancock County District Fair was the Farm Bureau Ag Learning Center. Fun and education is the purpose of the center, according to Rusty Olson, Hancock County Farm Bureau President. Throughout the five days of the fair, youngsters and their parents had and the opportunity to watch baby chicks and ducks hatch, pigs farrow, pet an alpaca, rabbits, and burro, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun climbing up hay bales then sliding down a drainage tube. “We’re really stoked about it,” Olson said amid the happy chatter and scampering of youngsters. This is a great way to give kids a hands-on opportunity if they weren’t raised on farm or don’t get to be around farm animals. It’s just packed all the time.” Olson said the learning center started several years ago as a petting farm at the fair. “We really wanted to evolve this into a learning center. Granted, a lot of it is for fun and for playing and keeping kids entertained…but they are getting to experience chickens and ducks hatching in incubators. We have sows farrowing… we have donkeys and alpacas and some water displays.” Duck races (where plastic duck “race” down a water trough) demonstrate how water flows. “We have a display on loan Iowa State University – it’s a hands-on FARM BUREAU to page 2
Rebecca Peter | The Leader
Hancock County Fair Queen Natalee Dippel and Princess Allison Wirtjes were crowned July 27 at the 2016 Hancock County District Fair. Natalee will represent Hancock County at the Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant.
Council hears request for off-road vehicles on city streets
Farm Bureau Learning Center a hit
Rebecca Peter
gleadernews@qwestoffice.net GARNER – Garner city officials will consider a request to amend the current city code of ordinances to allow golf carts, all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) and other off-road vehicles to operate on city streets with certain restrictions. K.J. Hueneman, attorney Jim Wetterling, Dan Kadrlik, and Ray Penning presented information concerning the use of golf carts and other off-road vehicles on city streets. Kadrlik, Penning and Wetterling presented a petition with 350 signatures (245 residents within Garner and 105 outside Garner) to the council. They also presented sample ordinances from other communities. Current city ordinances restrict the use of golf carts on city streets to only to and from the golf course and utilizing the most direct route. The city follows state code regarding ATVs and other off-road vehicles, which allows the vehicles to be driven to and from home to the city limits using the most direct route. In his request to the council, K.J. Hueneman indicated that a large group of business owners and employers want to be able to legally use their utility vehicles in the course of business in Garner. “We all want to be law-abiding citizens,” Hueneman said. “In warm weather months we use it all day long, everyday. But we got to have it simple so the riders and owners know what we have to do to become legal; and also for the police, to be able to enforce it.”
Emilie Jenson | The Leader
Paxton Lucas checks out one of the baby chicks in the Farm Bureau’s ag learning barn. More photos on pages 8 and 9.
Jim Wetterling, presented information on potential benefits of expanding the ordinance: •Save money on fuel for in-town driving •Environmental benefits (use less energy than other motor vehicles) •Reduce congestion during special events •Convenience for completing errands Sheriff Scott Dodd was also present at the council meeting. Dodd said that other than a few minor incidents, an ordinance adopted by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors allowing ATVs on county secondary roads has worked. Development agreements The council approved a development agreement between the City of Garner and Stellar Industries. Stellar plans to construct new 39,615 square foot manufacturing space. The new building will replace two existing buildings on-site and will provide additional manufacturing capacity and support for Stellar and the growing demand for its products within the various hydraulic truck mounted equipment markets it serves, according to a press release from Stellar announcing the project in May. The council approved a development agreement with Mark Kaczor for his Kar Parts auto recycling business. Kaczor plans to purchase 2.5 acres of 6 acres of city-owned property at the dead end of Crown Street (Kadrlik Industrial Park) and rent the remaining 3.5 acres. He plans to construct a 30 x 40 –foot office and GARNER to page 2
Britt man taken into custody following high speed chase A Britt man faces felony following a high-speed chase on Highway 18 between Garner and Britt, Wednesday, July 27. According to a press release from the Britt Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, about 9:44 p.m., a Hancock County Deputy, with assistance from a Garner Police Officer, attempted to pull over a 2010 Chevy pickup allegedly operated by Antoine Smith of Britt. Smith initially
Coming Aug. 11 Ghostbusters PG-13
tary youngsters at Belmond-Klemme and is involved with activities in her church. Natalee’s post high school plans include college and a career in ag business. What would she like the rest of Iowa to know about Hancock County? “We have a great fair and hardworking fair board members who will go the extra mile,” she responded. “There is a lot of fun stuff to do.” Jade Oberhelman of Kanawha was named 1st runner-up. Jade, the daughter of Dan and Joann Oberhelman, will be a sophomore at West Hancock High School. She is a member of the Britt Broncos 4-H Club and serves on 4-H County Council. She exhibited rabbits, poultry, and Science, Mechanics, Arts projects at the fair. Jade is also a member of the West Hancock FFA and is involved in school activities and in her community and church. Her future plans include attending Iowa State University to study animal
SHOW TIMES Fri.-Sat., Mon.-Thurs. 7 pm Sunday 4 pm & 7 pm Adults $4 Children $3 (under 12) 3D + $2 Visa, Mastercard & Discover accepted
Avery Theatre 495 State Street, GARNER, Iowa www.averytheater.org 641-925-AVRY (2879)
stopped but took off at a high rate of speed when the officers approached the vehicle. Law enforcement pursued Smith west on Highway 18, through the cities of Garner and Britt, before bringing the pursuit to an end by deploying “stop sticks” followed by a controlled collision approximately one mile west of Britt. Heavy traffic from the Hancock County District Fair factored into the
Volume 144 Number 31
USPS214-160
decision to safely “pit” the vehicle, which was being operated on only the rims of its front wheels by the end of the pursuit. An investigation is ongoing, according to authorities. Two Hancock County deputies suffered injuries while taking Smith into custody. Two law enforcement vehicles also sustained extensive damage during the pursuit. Smith was booked into the Hancock County Jail on criminal complaints of
eluding a law enforcement vehicle, a class D felony, assault with a dangerous weapon, a class D felony, and assault on a peace officer, an aggravated misdemeanor. Smith was already facing charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a class D felony, and carrying weapons, a class D felony. He had been released on bail on May 31, 2016. Numerous local agencies responded to the pursuit, including the Hancock
County Sheriff’s Office, Garner Police Department, Britt Police Department, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and West Hancock Ambulance Service. Agencies responding to the pursuit, were the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Garner Police Department, Britt Police Department, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and West Hancock Ambulance Service.
NEXT WEEK IN WEATHER
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
AM Showers
AM Thunderstorms
PM Thunderstorms
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Hi 71˚ Low 58˚
Hi 75˚ Low 59˚
Hi 78˚ Low 60˚
Hi 77˚ Low 62˚
Hi 79˚ Low 62˚
Entire contents copyrighted by
Garner Printing & Publishing Co., 2016
Hi 89˚ Low 60˚
Hi
78˚
Low 58˚