WASHINGTON ― As the nation kicks off Climate Week, the Department of the Interior recently announced more than $24 million from President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda to restore our nation’s lands and waters. The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support 50 ecosystem restoration projects that include on-the-ground action in 34 states and multiple U.S.

On a recent interview with Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, he and I discussed the ongoing renovation project taking place at West Swan Lake located southeast of Gruver. The project began in the fall of 2022 with the goal for the renovation to be complete and ready for restocking this past spring, but Mother Nature didn’t cooperate.

Migratory bird hunters reminded to register for Harvest Information program

When it comes to fishing and life, it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Following are some examples from personal experience when being in the right place at the right time was extremely helpful to my fishing and fishing career.

Fish catching related: Musky expert Don Pursch and I were chasing muskies. We had been fishing all day and success was very limited. This was at a time when anglers had started to pay attention to solunar tables.

Habitat and weather are the two factors often tied to the pheasant population numbers. Each year the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ August Roadside Count data reflects those two variables. Since 1962, the Iowa DNR has conducted the August Roadside Survey, generating data from approximately 225 30-mile routes on Iowa’s upland game: ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite quail, gray partridge, cottontail rabbits and white-tailed jackrabbits.

ALGONA — Finishing in first place will generally see you do pretty good in the pool. For the Spencer squad, it catapulted them to a 117-61 win in a dual against Algona on the road Tuesday.

“Tonight was a great win, and we are ramping up for our second half of the season,” Spencer head coach Amie Lawrence said.

Kelcie Miller’s Sioux Central squads swept the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Invitational, Monday at the Sanborn Golf and Country Club. The Rebels won outright, but the boys needed a tie-breaker to win a 36-36 tie with Alta-Aurelia.

“Sioux Central had an excellent evening at the HMS meet,” Miller said. “The boys dominated the field with a decisive victory, finishing 45 points ahead of second place Alta-Aurelia.”

Division II Soccer: Doran named Athlete of the Week

(Above) Addison Hoben digs out a ball for Spencer in a 3-0 shut-out courtesy of Newell-Fonda Tuesday evening, 25-18, 25-23, 25-16. Likewise, Sioux Central fell in three straight in a more competitive contest to Manson-NW Webster, 25-22, 27-25, 25-21. Coaches Tara Hauschen and Sara Grossnickle didn’t offer statistics or comments following the games. Tigers will host a tournament, starting at 9 a.m., Saturday; while the Rebels are off until Tuesday when they travel to Emmetsburg.

SIOUX CENTER — Spencer enjoyed a victory formation for their final play after leading by 35 on the road at Sioux Center Friday night. The Tigers would enjoy a running clock most of the final two quarters en route to a 41-6 win.

After Sioux Center's Cody Sandbulte’s 60-yard run to cut the Tiger lead to 7-6, Spencer went on a five-touchdown run with five different scorers.

Also key to the win was four fumbles which were all recovered by Spencer.

FORT DODGE — Saturday, at the Gary Winkler Invitational hosted by Fort Dodge High School, Spencer’s girls finished second to Sioux City Metro in the five-team race.

Amie Lawrence, Tiger coach said, “We are excited to have finished second at today's invitational and of our time drops and new event combinations.”

Halle Sears scored two firsts in 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke; while teammate Lily Gross won the race in the 100 breaststroke.

SIOUX RAPIDS — Sioux Central’s defense didn’t allow a score until the final quarter, a 21-yard field goal, as they got the homecoming win 37-3 against Eagle Grove Friday night.

Kinnick Fahrenkrog had TD runs of 1, 5 and 5 yards; and junior Owen Mills accounted for the two others — by sky and land — as the Rebel’s allowed the Eagles under 200 yards.

Division II Soccer: Men’s, women’s soccer rout opponents

Neither Spencer, who participated in the Carroll Tournament on Saturday; nor Sioux Central who traveled to Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire twice, once on Thursday for Twin Lakes play and once on Saturday for tournament play, submitted or posted statistics on their action last week.

Who would ever have thought after the flooding that occurred in Iowa in late June that by the third week of September, we would be talking drought conditions in Iowa? Well, that’s where we are at! According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, the entire state of Iowa is currently at the first level of drought, abnormally dry. The map release on Thursday, Sept. 19. One area in northeast and the far southwest are noted as being in a moderate drought situation.