Sales receipts from the Ida County Fair livestock auction on July 25 totaled $389,295.11. That figure was up significantly from last year’s total of $286,847.43. The total number of animals sold was 392, up slightly from last year’s total of 380 head of livestock. This year, there were 118 hogs, 116 cattle (39 pens of three), 65 individual cattle, 64 sheep, 26 chickens, two turkeys, and one duck.
The Ida County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, July 26 at the courthouse. Board members in attendance were Chair Raymond Drey, Creston Schubert, and Rhett Leonard. County Engineer Jeff Williams presented Resolution 22-32, Iowa County Engineers Association-SS4A Grant. The board then authorized the Chair to sign the resolution. The supervisors approved a claim from JEO in the amount of $199,294 to Godbersen-Smith Construction for the M15 Project. The board then approved a claim to Gus Construction in the amount of $349,554.40.
Michael Franken will campaign at CornerHaus 101, Holstein, Iowa – Friday, Aug. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
Franken (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Iowa. He is on the ballot in the general election Nov. 8, 2022. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 7, 2022.
In a special meeting Thursday, the Galva City Council rejected a plan to demolish the current wastewater plant.
Galva Mayor Gary Wanberg presided over the meeting, with council members Gaylen Freese, Lanny Hustedt and Ryan Wuebker in attendance. The demolition was the proposed Phase 4 of the Wastewater Improvement Project, which would have cost $95,000 to complete. The motion to reject the demolition passed unanimously.
“The plant was working fine,” Mayor Wanberg said, “there was no reason to tear it down.”
Ida County weighed in above the state’s 2.6 percent unemployment rate as Iowa jobs numbers continue strong despite a nationwide slow-down.
By eight-tenths of a percent, Ida County edged out the state average for employment numbers in the most-recent figures released by Iowa Workforce Development.
Ida County stood at 1.8 percent as the regional leader while neighboring Cherokee County was at two percent, Sac County was at 2.1 percent, Woodbury was at 2.7 percent and Crawford County was at 3.4 percent, the highest in the region.
Despite the heat, RAGBRAI XLIX kicked off Sunday with thousands descending on the route’s first overnight location Ida Grove before heading on to a host of Iowa communities.
Battle Creek residents were among the first Iowans to get a glimpse of the action as riders began rolling in Sunday morning before riders hit Ida Grove around lunchtime.
The city took on a party atmosphere Sunday afternoon with tent communities popping up everywhere from the school grounds to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The Farmacy Soda Fountain & Coffee House in Ida Grove hosted a soft opening July 19. Those who attended got a sneak peek at the 50s-themed interior and a taste of their drinks and pastries. Brian Lundell, who co-owns the business with his wife Lisa, expressed enthusiasm to join the “wave of young business owners” in town.
Mid-America Publishing and the Ida County Courier sponsored a movie night at King Theatre in Ida Grove and worked to fight hunger in the community with a special promotion.
Moviegoers received free tickets to see “Jurassic World: Dominion” both Friday and Saturday evenings. Visitors were glad to beat the heat on a night out to enjoy a movie, especially with the cost already covered. The event was a big hit for young and old.
When asked what he was most excited about for “Jurassic World,” Max Hahn was eager to see more of a certain on-screen velociraptor.
Mid-America Publishing and the Ida County Courier helped fight hunger in the community while hosting a booth in the commercial building at the Ida County Fair.
The booth, open Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, held a raffle for $400 worth of chamber bucks. These can be spent at participating businesses in Ida Grove. Winners will be announced in two weeks.
