Nathan Konz

The deadline for nominations for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award has been extended to Monday, May 20. This award recognizes Iowa farmers and families who demonstrate commitment to improving water quality and conserving natural resources while leading within the agricultural community. Since its inception in 2012, 777 farm families have been honored for their efforts. Eligible nominees implement practices proven to enhance water quality and prioritize conservation on their land. Nominations can be submitted through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website, links to which are included with this story online. A committee comprising conservation and agricultural representatives will review submissions and select winners. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 14, during the Iowa State Fair. Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon will present each recipient with an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award sign and certificate. Last year’s recipients from the area include Jasen and Jen Tiefenthaler of Sac County, Ryan and Tarin Tiefenthaler of Carroll County, John and Ione Koster of Carroll County, Perry and Stacy Corey of Calhoun County, and Rusty and Karen Corderman of Sac County.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst has announced staff traveling office hours planned for May, including stops in all 99 Iowa counties. Ernst’s regional directors will be available for constituents to assist Iowans with problems or questions about Social Security, veterans’ benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Three counties, Carroll, Crawford, and Greene, are slated for Tuesday, May 7. Staff begins in Schleswig at Schleswig City Hall from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. They then head to Carroll at the Chamber of Commerce office from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. before ending the day’s schedule in our region at the Greene County Courthouse from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Wednesday, May 8 schedule includes a visit to Audubon from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Audubon Public Library and Guthrie Center at the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will be in Calhoun County at city hall in Rockwell City from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. The final stop is in Sac County on Tuesday, May 21, at Lake View City Hall from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ernst says, “Assisting Iowans is a top priority for me. That’s why my staff is bringing our office to you this May. Don’t hesitate to stop by when members of my team are in your area.” Ernst will not be at the traveling office hours. Iowans unable to attend the in-person events can request casework help at www.ernst.senate.gov. The full schedule of planned staff traveling office hours can be found below.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have approved St. Anthony Regional Hospital’s application for a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation. In a message to staff last week, SARH President and CEO Allen Anderson announced that the process was finally completed with an effective date of March 18, 2024. Anderson explains what led to the decision to pursue the CAH designation.

The rains over the last two weeks in Iowa have led to substantial improvements to the state’s drought conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor data released yesterday (Thursday), no area in western Iowa is classified worse than D1, or moderate drought. Audubon, Guthrie, and Greene Counties all fall under the D1 category. About two-thirds of Carroll County fell into D1, with the northwestern third landing in the D0, or abnormally dry. Calhoun County showed similar conditions. An estimated three-quarters of Sac County has no drought rating, with the areas along the border with Calhoun County in D0. Overall in Iowa, no area of the state is in D4 or exceptional drought. Just 2.44 percent is in extreme drought and only in northeastern and eastern Iowa. About 19.84 percent of the state is in the severe drought category, 27.61 percent in moderate drought, 20 percent in abnormally dry, and the remaining 30.11 percent in no drought warning. Compare those figures to three months ago, when nearly 80 percent of the state was classified as moderate drought or worse. A link to the latest Iowa Drought Monitor data is included below.

Phase II of the Adams Street reconstruction project is scheduled to get underway next week, and city officials are reminding residents of the potential impact on their daily driving habits. Public Works Director Randy Krauel says Adams Street between 12th and 13th Streets will be closed beginning Monday, May 6.

Iowa 4th District Congressman Randy Feenstra is recovering from a surgery to remove a blood clot found in his leg. His staff posted to social media yesterday (Thursday) that Feenstra had scheduled outpatient surgery in Washington, D.C., and the procedure was successful. Feenstra will remain in D.C. to maintain post-surgery care and limit travel to continue his official duties. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Photo: A photo of Sheriff Steinkuehler with the recovering boy posted to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

The City of Carroll has announced several rail crossing closures in town will begin at the end of next week as Union Pacific completes scheduled maintenance. On Friday, May 10, the Carroll Street crossing will be closed, followed by the Main Street crossing on Saturday, May 11, and the Clark Street crossing on Sunday, May 12. Each crossing will be impassable for one day only while crews are onsite replacing railroad signals. Motorists are asked to plan alternate routes for travel on those days.

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors returns to their regular meeting schedule on Monday. The board convenes at 9 a.m. on May 6 at the Conservation Education Center at Swan Lake State Park. The supervisors will open with a report from the Secondary Roads Department, which includes the review and approval of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 engineer employment agreement and an FY24 budget amendment. The board will also hear from County Recorder Ashten Wittrock for her quarterly report, followed by an appointment to the Region XII Regional Housing Authority board of directors. A generic application form for residents who currently serve or are interested in serving on any county boards or commissions will also be considered. The supervisors will close the meeting with the approval of a Carroll County Safety Guidance Manual for employees, a review of the county’s employee handbook, manure management annual updates, and committee reports. The Monday, May 6 meeting is open to the public, and residents are encouraged and invited to attend. A link to the agenda is included below.

According to the latest report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and AAA-Iowa, fuel prices in Iowa were mostly unchanged from last week. As of Wednesday, May 1, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.30, two cents higher than last week and 10 cents below prices from a year ago. The national average for gas held steady at $3.66 per gallon. Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell three cents on the week to $3.72 per gallon, compared to $3.88 12 months ago. Local prices remain 29 cents below the $4.01 national average for diesel. Wholesale ethanol held steady at $2.16. In heating fuels, natural gas prices at the Henry Hub reporting site slid four cents to $1.92 per MMBtu.