While basic necessities such as bread, meat and gasoline skyrocket under some of the worst inflation since the 1970s, Ida County is among the top counties in Iowa for purchasing power, according to the results of a new study. Aggregator Smart Asset has Ida County sitting at eighth place for all of Iowa’s 99 counties for the highest purchasing power.
The study looked at cost of living in relation to income locally for each county.
The final details are still being worked out, but Ida Grove residents will indeed see a return of a signature part of summer fun for the city.
Ida Grove Heritage Days is back once again with dates set for Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, June 26.
Following cancelation in 2020, the festival roared back in 2021 with the theme of “Honoring Our Hometown Heroes” with a focus on first responders, police and others who show up when we need them, rain or shine. It was a theme that resonated with many.
“We did have a great event last year,” said Heather Bogue, an organizer.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley visited Ida County Wednesday to talk to voters over the noon hour as Iowa’s senior senator meets with constituents across the state.
For this trip, Grassley, who is Iowa’s longest-serving senator and one of only two farmers in the U.S. Senate, gathered with constituents at the Midwest Deli & Grill in Holstein.
The Senator, who is a farmer from New Hartford, Iowa, said the greatest concerns he hears from folks across the state are about inflation and illegal immigration.
Rumors have been swirling, but OABCIG officials insist no plans are in place to shutter the school in Odebolt. “The district is not looking to close the Odebolt elementary,” said Superintendent Matt Alexander.
Rather, balancing declining enrollment and budget constraints is on the minds of officials.
“What we are facing is a large number of kindergarten students in our Odebolt building, 30 I believe is the number,” said Alexander.
The district does not want to have to hire an additional staff member, a burden for the district’s budget.
A touch of class is the aim with the 2022 OABCIG Prom.
This year’s theme is “Draped with Luxury.”
“Juniors host the senior class at the Skate Palace decorated to create a bit of luxury with sparkling chandeliers, glass, mirrors and rhinestones,” said Donna Rasmussen. “A white background with silver shimmering highlights, will finish the scene.”
An open house will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23. The open house runs until 4 p.m.
A highlight will come with the Grand March as the couples show off their finery for parents and the cameras.
Efforts to renegotiate the details of how Galva-Holstein and Schaller-Crestland sharing is handled should not end in a break-up, board members heard from community members.
A joint meeting of the two boards in the Schaller gymnasium drew community members curious about a decision by the G-H board to give notice of intent to end the previous sharing agreement.
In a statement to the newspaper Superintendent Jon Wiebers made clear the G-H board was not calling for an end to all sharing, just a revisitation of how the arrangement is structured.
The Farmer’s Market in Holstein will be back, albeit in a different location for the summer. Members of the Holstein Chamber of Commerce heard recently that Christina Kjar Hanson has taken over duties for the farmer’s market.
Up this year is a venue change, now heading to 2nd and Highway 59 in the area of CornerHaus 101. Branding for the farmer’s market will see it now called “Market on Main” with hours every Tuesday. Kickoff will be June 7 for patrons hoping for a tasty treat or something homegrown.
A five-year strategic plan for Stubbs Memorial Library in Holstein has been approved by the library board, helping to things moving as the library’s accreditation process continues.
Director Emily Todd briefed the Holstein City Council during its April 4 meeting on the status of the process. A mission statement for the library as well as policy for the library’s meeting room were also approved by the library board.
Recent community support is helping to keep the library a friendly place, including a special project by Ridge View High School students.
With pandemic restrictions easing, a Holstein man is back in action again as he undertakes a commitment to serve in the Dominican Republic through the Peace Corps.
Kent Rice’s life has been heavily tied with the Peace Corps for decades, serving decades ago in the 1980s. His wife, Kathy, also served.
No citations have been issued following a three-vehicle accident on Highway 59/175.
According to a report from the Ida County Sheriff’s Office, the crash took place at 4:36 p.m. when James Joseph Turner, 53, of Anthon, was eastbound on 175 while Stephanie Rebekka Beeber, 27, of Sioux City, was stopped at the stop sign at Godbersen Drive and pulled out from the stop sign.
Beeber’s vehicle was struck and began spinning in circles.
