DES MOINES –Starting in December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) began contacting producers to gather data about land ownership, income, expenses, debt, assets, demographic and landlord characteristics to provide detailed information from all agricultural landowners in Iowa as the agency conducts the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) […]
Amy Lyon | Staff Writer The love of learning and working with people has kept Jen Smit employed by Lyon County since 2000. Smit began as an election clerk in the auditor’s office and moved up in 2009 to the real estate deputy position. Then, in the 2012 general election, she was elected auditor where […]
HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES GET STARTED Taylor Klingenberg is an agriculture and commercial loan officer at Frontier Bank in George. Frontier Bank is equipped to help small business startups and help them grow. (Photo/Dominique Kooiker) Dominique Kooiker | Editor People start small businesses for a variety of reasons. Whether a small business starts as a passion […]
The start of a new year is the perfect time to look at your finances and make a saving plan for the new year. While many people make a New Year’s resolution to save more money, it’ll take more than a self-promise to make that happen. There are some unique ways to save money, some […]
The Kelley Group provides custom coverage Amy Lyon | Staff Writer Small business owners may want to save money by not purchasing insurance or at least opting for minimal coverage. However, Chris Kelley, owner of The Kelley Group in Hull, explains how insurance agencies can protect small businesses from common risks and uncertainties that can […]
Cooperative Farmers Elevator is home to new murals Dominique Kooiker | Editor Honoring the past while beautifying the community of Rock Rapids is the goal of the Rock Rapids Mural Society. The society recently dedicated its 37th mural, “Percheron Horses at Lakewood Farm” by Megan DeJong. This mural, which was completed Thanksgiving weekend, hangs on […]
PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENT Parker Laleman holds his prized buck Unicorn on Nov. 10. The 15-year-old went on a solo hunting trip on his grandpa’s property in Minnesota and was surprised and overjoyed when he found out the buck he shot was the one they had only seen twice before. (Photo/Submitted) Local teenager takes down unique buck […]
A retired man’s passion for woodworking Amy Lyon | Staff Writer When people walk into the home of Harlan and Karen Van Voorst, they are greeted with a wall full of art adorning slabs of wood. Upon entering and looking around further, one can marvel at a myriad of other masterpieces made by Harlan. The […]
On Thursday, Jan. 2, Brian Hilt of Rock Rapids was sworn in as the sheriff of Lyon County. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Lyon County Courthouse. Hilt was elected to be the new Lyon County Sheriff in November after a close race with the previous sheriff, Stewart Vander Stoep. “I am honored to […]
SHELDON – Northwest Iowa Community College is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. This annual honor recognizes a graduate who has achieved exceptional accomplishments in their professional career, made significant contributions through volunteer work, received prestigious awards, or attained other notable achievements.Do you know a Northwest Iowa Community College alum […]