Sometimes animals just don’t do what you want them to. If you’re in the beef or dairy business, that could mean anything from lost time to a serious injury or worse. But beef and dairy producers and those who are employed in the beef or dairy business will get a chance to hear some tips and tricks to calm down an anxious herd, and see them demonstrated when Iowa State University Extension offers Animal Care and Handling Seminars in Sioux Center. Extension beef specialist, Dr. Beth Doran tells us about the seminars.

She says the expert coming to teach the seminar will demonstrate his tips and tricks.

Doran says the expert has never seen this set of cattle, so they have no previous experience with one-another. She says he’ll address several situations.

Also, with the prevalence of people who speak Spanish who are working with beef and dairy cattle in northwest Iowa, there will be two sessions of the class. The morning session, from 9 to 12:30 includes lunch, and is in English. The afternoon session, which will be in Spanish begins with lunch at 12:30 and runs until 5. An interpreter will be available to translate.

Doran says people who attend the sessions will also have the opportunity to become Beef Quality Assurance certified, which helps when meat or milk is being marketed.

She says to sign up for one of the sessions, you can call your local county Iowa State University Extension Office.

By Scott Van Aartsen
News Director

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says President Obama and congress should immediately “cease enforcement” of the health care reform law until the Supreme Court rules whether the insurance “mandate” included in the law is constitutional.

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider legal challenges to the health care reform law’s requirement that individuals acquire health insurance. Bachmann calls that an “important” development, but she raises some suspicions, too.

Bachmann made a campaign swing through northwest Iowa on Monday, with stops in Sioux City, Le Mars and Sheldon.

Story from RadioIowa

On November 4, 2011, Matthew Alford Saltsgiver, age 28 of Orange City, Iowa, pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated 1^st Offense, a Serious Misdemeanor.  The Defendant is to pay a fine of $1,797.50, the cost of this action, and restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, if any.  The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for a term of one (1) year, with all time suspended except for two (2) days and placed on informal probation to the Osceola County Sheriff for a period of two (2) years.  The Defendant shall undergo a substance abuse evaluation and comply with the treatments recommendations.  On July 23, 2011, Matthew Saltsgiver was stopped on 220^th Street for speeding.  During the course of the stop, an Osceola County Deputy could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Saltsgiver’s breath.  Saltsgiver failed sobriety tests and tested over .08.  Saltsgiver was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. 

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On November 4, 2011, Garrett Richard Crowl, age 21 of Ashton, Iowa pled guilty to Driving While Barred as a Habitual Offender, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.  The Defendant is to pay a fine of $943.75, the cost of this action, and restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, if any.  The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for a term of one (1) year, with all time suspended except for four (4) days and placed on informal probation to the Osceola County Sheriff for a period of two (2) years.  On July 30, 2011, Garrett Crowl was stopped while operating a utility vehicle on L32 and 240^th Street without taillights.  A check of Crowl’s driving record showed him to be barred for habitual offender.  Crowl was arrested for Driving While Barred.

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On November 4, 2011, Michael Dale Timmins, age 38 of Sibley, Iowa, pled guilty to Manufacture or Possess, with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver or Conspire to Manufacture or Deliver Methamphetamine, a Class “D” Felony; Possession of Lithium with Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine, a Class “D” Felony, and Child Endangerment, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.  The Defendant is to pay a fine of $3,521.25, the cost of this action, restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, and victim restitution, if any.  The Defendant is committed to the custody of the Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections for a period of ten (10) years on the Possession of Methamphetamine charge; five (5) years on the Possession of Lithium charge; and two (2) years on the Child Endangerment charge, with all time suspended except for sixty (60) days.  The Defendant is placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Corrections for a period of five (5) years on the Methamphetamine charge, two (2) years on the Lithium charge, and one (1) year for the Child Endangerment charge.  The Defendant shall undergo substance abuse treatment at a residential treatment facility for a period of 180 days, and comply with the treatments recommendations.  On December 21, 2010, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at Michael Timmins’ residence in Sibley, Iowa.  Osceola County Deputies seized methamphetamine and items used to manufacture methamphetamine.  Timmins infant child was present in the residence where the methamphetamine was manufactured and used, exposing the child to dangerous chemicals. 

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On November 8, 2011, Kelly Denise Miller, age 30 of Sibley, Iowa, was found guilty of Domestic Abuse Assault, a Simple Misdemeanor.  The Defendant is to pay a fine of $60.00, the cost of this action, restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, and victim restitution, if any.  The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for terms of thirty (30) days, with all time suspended except for two (2) days, and successfully complete a Batterers Education Program.  On August 20, 2011, The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office received several 9-1-1 calls from a male victim that was being assaulted.  Following an investigation, Kelly Miller was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. 

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On November 12, 2011 the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office arrested Aurelio Garduno-Garduno, age 25 of Sibley, Iowa for the offenses of Driving While Suspended (Simple Misdemeanor), Providing False Information (Simple Misdemeanor), Failure to File SR-22 Insurance (Simple Misdemeanor).  An Osceola County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an alleged equipment violation.  During the stop Garduno-Garduno allegedly provided the Deputy with false information. A check of Garduno-Garduno’s driving record showed him to have a suspended Driver’s License, and Garduno-Garduno did not have SR-22 insurance when required.  Garduno-Garduno is currently being held in the Osceola County Jail on a $990 cash bond and is being held on an Immigration & Customs Enforcement detainer.

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On November 14, 2011, at 10:25am, Ignacio Romero, age 57 of Sibley, Iowa, was driving a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, northbound on 4^th Avenue, north of 9^th Avenue is Sibley, Iowa.  Deborah Roghair, age 54 of Sibley, Iowa, was backing a 2002 Buick Century from a parking space on 4^th Avenue and could not see Romero’s vehicle approaching due to several larger vehicles parked to the right or Roghair’s vehicle and collided with Romero’s vehicle on the roadway.  Roghair’s vehicle sustained approximately $200 damage.  Romero’s vehicle sustained approximately $1,500 damage.  No injuries were reported

Residents in nine counties in northwest Iowa are being warned not to set fire to those piles of leaves theyve raked, or anything else.

Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp, at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, says theres a high risk of sparking a fast-spreading wildfire and everyone needs to use caution.

Heitkamp says, Areas of northwest Iowa are under extreme fire danger due to the extreme dry conditions and the increasing wind speeds that we are expecting today as well as continuing on into Tuesday and Wednesday. The nine counties with the most threatening conditions for fire are: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Sioux, OBrien, Clay, Cherokee, Buena Bista and Ida.

Resident in other counties across much of northern, central and western Iowa need to be particularly cautious with fire and any outdoor burning. A lot of dead, dry vegetation that remains across northwest Iowa and any remaining harvest that needs to be done, Heitkamp says.

People need to be aware of that as well as people driving around throwing out cigarette butts, being aware of what they can actually cause. In a situation like this, once a fire starts, it can spread rapidly. The forecast says the next chance of rain for that region wont be until Friday or Saturday.

Story from RadioIowa

Dale Van Engen, age 71 of Sibley, IA died Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, November 14, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, with Reverend Terry Simm officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 13th from 2-8 PM with the family present from 6-8 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

Dale Marion Van Engen was born January 4, 1940 on a family farm southwest of Sheldon, Iowa, the son of Abraham and Dorothy (Vogel) Van Engen. He was raised on the farm and attended country school. After his education he remained living with his parents, working for various farmers in the area. He also worked at the creamery, sale barn for 30 years, the truck stop, the elevator in Little Rock, IA, Conveyor Company in Sibley and hauled chickens for Bosma.

On April 16, 1960 Dale married Lois Stratmeier at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, IA. Three children were born to this union. In 1968 they moved to a farm southwest of Sibley. In 1973 Dale and Lois were divorced.

On July 24, 1983 Dale married Colleen Sullivan. On July 13, 1997 Dale’s wife, Colleen died after 13 years of marriage. Through the years Dale enjoyed attending farm sales, raising animals on his farm, and fishing. He hosted several A.B.A.T.E. parties and Muscular Dystrophy parties at his farm. He frequently visited Winnavegas Casino and Argosy Riverboat Casino near Sioux City, IA. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He cherished his grandkids, a great-grandson and his dog, Blackie.

After years of failing health Dale died this past Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA at the age of 71. He is survived by five children, Vicki (Duane) Vande Garde, Ron (Shari) Van Engen, both of Sibley, IA, Pam (Chad) Wollmuth of Little Rock, IA; Amy Gruis of Harrisburg, SD and Kim (Jamie) Lyons of Sheldon, IA; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; a brother, Les Van Engen of Sheldon, IA; and many other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Dorothy Van Engen; his wife, Colleen Van Engen; two brothers, Gerald and Adrian Van Engen; and one sister, Verna Jean Vander Zwaag.

CITY OF SIBLEY COUNCIL AGENDA

SIBLEY, IOWA 

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sibley will meet in regular session on November 14, 2011 at 5:00 o’clock PM in the Council Chambers, City Hall.

 TENTATIVE AGENDA 

1.    Call to Order, Roll Call 

2.    Approve Agenda 

3.    Consent Agenda

              – Approve Minutes from Previous Meetings

              – Approve Bills and Bills Paid in Vacation

              – NW IA Area Solid Waste Appointments 

4.    Public Hearing & Sale of the City’s Interest in Real Property 

5.    FY11 Audit Report 

6.    2011 Financial Report 

7.    McCallum Museum

8.    Recreation Director Update

9.    Dyno Oil Co Inc Class B Wine Permit, Class C Beer Permit & Class E        Liquor License W/Sunday Sales

10.  2011 Water System Improvements Pay Request #3 – $50,718.05

11.  IDOT Federal Aid Agreement

12.  Resolution Fixing Date for a Meeting on the Authorization of a Loan       Agreement and the Issuance of not to Exceed $2,750,000 General Obligation Urban Renewal Capital Loan Notes for the City of Sibley,    State of Iowa and Providing for Publication of Notice Thereof

13.  Council Concerns/Committee Updates

14.  Administrators Report

 Sibley man has been indicted by a grand jury on a misdemeanor charge related to a fatal boat crash that happened on Lake Okabena in Worthington in July.

There is no time like the present to get your vehicle prepared for the winter months ahead says the DOT.

They suggest that we winterize our vehicles now, before winter weather threatens. To minimize the possibility of a breakdown, winterize your vehicle and get it tuned up. Check, or have a mechanic check, your vehicles wipers, hoses, battery, alternator, belts, tires, brakes, exhaust system, lights, and fluid levels. Make sure your heater and defroster are in good working order. A breakdown is bad on a good day, but can be dangerous on a bad winter day.

Get your emergency survival kit and supplies prepared and in your vehicle. In addition to carrying a mobile phone, basic survival kits should be placed in each vehicle. In the event you are stranded during a winter storm, these items could mean the difference between life and death.

The kit should contain a blanket or sleeping bag; high energy, nonperishable food; water; flashlight and extra batteries; matches or a lighter; candles; warm gloves; small first aid kit; hat or stocking cap; insulated footwear; and winter coat. The kit should contain enough supplies for the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Other winter travel supplies should include a snow shovel; scraper and snow brush; sand or strips of carpet for traction; flares/reflectors; tool kit; jumper cables; and a good spare tire, lug wrench and jack.

Learn more about how to prepare your winter survival travel kit by visiting the Iowa DOTs YouTube site.

Brush-up your winter driving skills. Drivers should use basic safe driving habits at any time of year buckling up, driving alert and sober, and operating your vehicle at a safe and legal speed. Special precautions need to be followed when ice or snow are present on the roadway, including reducing your speed for conditions. Turn off the cruise control. Do not turn your vehicle into an “off-road” vehicle by driving too fast for conditions. Remember the simple slogan, “Ice and Snow Take It Slow.”

For more information about winter preparedness and the Iowa DOT’s snow and ice control program, check the DOT’s website at www.iowadot.gov/maintenance/winterSafety.html.

By Scott Van Aartsen
News Director