Spencer High School football cheerleaders Veronica Studer and Eve Maker, and Sioux Central senior football player Max Adams were recognized Wednesday night at the Clay County Fair Regional Events Center during media night. All three were selected to the participate in the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl football game.

Veronica Studer, a Spencer High School senior, signed to continue her cheerleading experience with Iowa Central Community College, in Fort Dodge. Studer, the daughter of Richard and Susan Studer, was joined Iowa Central cheer coach Mitch Murphy and former Spencer coach Shante Wallen at the signing. (Photo submitted)

DES MOINES — “I can’t say enough about the support we had and thank everyone for helping make this a season to remember,” said Kasey Krager, Sioux Central head girls basketball coach, following his team’s Friday morning’s semifinal exit from the team’s first ever state tournament appearance.

The Spencer Tigersharks state qualifiers enjoyed a successful weekend at the YMCA State Swim Meet. Members of the team won Division 3 at the YMCA State Meet with 718 points. (Below) Halle Sears broke three state meet records in the 13-14 age group in the 50 back, 100 back and 200 individual medley. Sandy Holck is the team’s coach. (Photos submitted)

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team advanced to the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Championship Game with a 85-81 win over Kirkwood. The win moved the Lakers to 26-6 overall.

“Really proud of our guys tonight,” said ILCC men’s head coach Jason McKinney. “We got off to a really good start and then had to fight through some adversity with all the foul trouble. We had to go deep in to our bench and they stepped up.”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is recommending to finish pruning oak trees immediately to prevent the spread of oak wilt.

“Typically, we suggest to stop pruning oaks around March 15,” said Tivon Feeley, forest health program leader with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “But the unseasonably warm February has moved up that date. Pruning oak trees should stop now out of an abundance of caution.”

More than 950 acres of Iowa land in 14 counties with an estimated value of more than $3.9 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.

The donors associated with 12 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 14, from 2-3 p.m., in the first floor rotunda, at the state Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is scheduled to attend.

Listed below are the donors:

You’ve seen it before. Maybe even participated. A group has gathered and they’re talking about who-knows-what.

Eventually the conversation turns to fishing, and, often, a non-fisherman in the group says that he doesn’t go fishing because he doesn’t have the patience to sit there and wait for a fish to come along. I think to myself of the successful anglers that I’ve fished with over the years. Usually patience was not an attribute they possessed.

What can I say, but “What a weekend!” I kicked it off on Friday with a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the 2024 Pheasants Forever National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic at the Denny Sanford Premier Center and Convention Center on Friday. My wife went along to rendezvous with her sister, while I spent over three hours just taking in everything possible!

Billed as the nation’s largest upland trade show and convention … from my perspective, “Yup, they’re right!”

DES MOINES — In its first ever state game, the Sioux Central Rebel girls basketball team started off hot and managed to hold off a second half surge by Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont to come up with a 52-48 IGHSAU Class 2A quarterfinal win Tuesday night.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team ended regular season play 24-6 overall and 14-4 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play after defeating Iowa Western by a basket — 71-69. The win secures the two seed in the Region 11 Tournament.

The Lakers were led by Kai Evans with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Sam West with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Iowa Western was led by Ikenna Ude Smith with 28 points.

SIOUX RAPIDS — “This is the first time ever,” said Kasey Krager, Sioux Central head girls basketball coach.

Local Shriners Steve Waller and Dean Jacobsen met with Spencer High School football cheerleaders Veronica Studer and Eve Maker to congratulate them on being selected the cheerleading team for the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl football game. The cheerleaders will report to camp in Cedar Falls on July 15. During the week they will be kept busy with rigorous training and lots of fun.

MASON CITY — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team moved to 23-6 overall and 13-4 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play with a 93-75 win over NIACC.

The Lakers were led by Benard Omooria with 21 points, Jaden Jefferson added 19 points, Sam West had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Kai Evans had 15 points and Blake Kooiman had 10 points.

Wyatt Helming led the way for NIACC with 20 points.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Iowa Lakes Community College softball team earned two wins in their opening weekend in Rochester. The Lakers combined for 14 hits in their game one 17-0 five-inning win over Minnesota North College-Vermillion. They then put up nine runs in the fifth inning to complete their second run-rule game of the day. This time with a 11-3 win over Central Lakes College-Brainerd. The Lakers are 2-0 on the season.