While on his campaign tour to all of Iowa’s 99 counties, Senate candidate Admiral Mike Franken, the Democrat challenger for Republican incumbent Chuck Grassley, made a stop in Holstein’s coffee shop CornerHaus 101 Friday, Aug. 5.
The Ida Grove City Council announced that they will be holding a public hearing for the Downtown Facade Revitalization project during their regular meeting Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. They will present the proposed plans, specifications, contract and estimated costs before putting the project up for bid.
Editor’s Note: The Ida County Courier will be profiling members of our community in coming issues. Have a suggestion on someone whom we can profile? Send an email to news@idacountycourier.com.
An Ida Grove resident for 33 years, Doug Clough has a long history of involvement in the community. He currently lives in town with his wife Mary, their two dogs and a “grand dog.” Doug has an adult daughter and son, and Mary also has three children.
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.
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.”
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.
“I have a passion for taking opportunities if I’m given the resources to accomplish a goal,” he said.
Editor’s Note: The Ida County Courier will be profiling members of our community in coming issues. Have a suggestion on someone whom we can profile? Send an email to news@idacountycourier.com
Ken Harskamp, known locally as Mr. Ken, was for a long time a fixture in the Ida Grove area.
