News

Eldora 'Twister' house sees whirlwind of change

Published by admin on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 10:22am

ELDORA – Twenty-five years have passed since the movie “Twister” was released on May 10, 1996, becoming the second highest grossing film of that year behind “Independence Day.” East of Eldora, the “Twister House,” as it has been dubbed by locals, sits – not a ramshackle mess, like the movie made it seem – but intact and nearing the end of a 10+ year restoration project by its current owners, who wish to go by “John” and “Jane” for this article.

Celebrating National EMS Week

Published by admin on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 9:40am

ELDORA – May 16 to 22 is the 46th annual National EMS Week, and Eldora EMS Director Maile Carter is planning a BBQ celebration on Wednesday, May 19 for all EMS responders in Hardin County.

“It’s a way to say thank you to everyone who volunteers their time,” Carter said.

In addition to getting settled in their newly renovated station, the Eldora EMS employees have been extremely busy this year with emergency calls. Carter said on May 20 of last year, 55 calls had been recorded, and as of May 12 of this year, she has already seen 43 calls.

Aquatic Center updates near completion

Published by admin on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 9:34am

ELDORA – The Eldora Aquatic Center at 709 14th Ave. is getting closer to opening day, and closer to finishing renovations. The pool interior has been repainted and new lighting was being installed last Friday, May 14.

“We’re hoping to be up and running by June 4,” Eldora City Administrator Aaron Budweg said. However, a Memorial Day opening may not be out of the question, it just depends on whether construction will be finished and if enough employees are available. The aquatic center is under the management of Dee Priske.

Sups table ATV talks

Published by admin on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 9:27am

ELDORA – After much discussion, the Hardin County Board of Supervisors decided to table the approval of an ATV/UTV ordinance and instead ask Hardin County Economic Development Director Angela De La Riva to hold one or two public meetings on the subject. The ordinance would allow ATV/UTV riders on roads that Hardin County Engineer Taylor Roll would approve and designate

Sups revisit courthouse reopening

Published by admin on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 12:40pm

ELDORA – Making an appointment to visit the Hardin County Courthouse, rather than just coming in unannounced to do business, was the consensus received by Hardin County Supervisor Chair BJ Hoffman, who attended a department head meeting about the subject on April 28.

“Right now keeping appointments seem to be what we are leaning towards here at the courthouse,” Hoffman said. “We have both the side of do we open to allow more access? Or is it a matter of do we remain the same but maybe offer better customer service? You have to weigh both the pros and cons.”

Day camp brings kids back to nature

Published by admin on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 12:36pm

STEAMBOAT ROCK – “I’ve been doing this 33 years,” smiled Dennise Smith, Iowa River Greenbelt Day Camp organizer. It all started with a large canvas tent, “like a circus tent” positioned deep into Smith’s 120-acre farm, which is also home to a cow-calf operation. In 2001, her husband replaced the tent with a green building where camp attendees eat, make crafts, hear speakers and do mini-lessons.

Pine Lake Rocks!

Published by admin on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 12:19pm

ELDORA – Brandi Schuneman, owner of Brandi’s Hair-Itage hair salon in Eldora, has seen painted rocks with colorful images or sayings on them in different areas of the country while she was out biking or hiking. Then she saw a painted rock on a trail near Steamboat Rock.

This gave her an idea. A couple years after that Steamboat Rock sighting, and after having a few conversations with Andy Place, Park Ranger at Pine Lake State Park, Schuneman set up the Facebook page Pine Lake Rocks IA, and started hiding painted rocks on the trails around Pine Lake.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Published by admin on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 11:50am

ELDORA – If there’s one thing Linn Adams, Director of Central Iowa Community Services (CICS), wants people to remember during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, is that a 24-Hour Life Iowa Crisis Line/CICS Mobile Response is available for all to call at 855-581-8111.

“It’s 24-7,” Adams stressed, adding that people who may feel depressed, suicidal or have any mental health issues can, and should, call to talk to a live person. Even if the struggles are with drugs or alcohol, they can call.

135 years of school history recorded in new book

Published by admin on Thu, 05/06/2021 - 2:18pm

ELDORA – About two years ago, Deb Johnson and Lea Babcock of the Hardin County Historical Society were looking at a book of graduates that another community had put together, and decided they wanted to do their own.

Johnson started compiling information on the school buildings, administrators and students who came and went through the years at Eldora, then Eldora-New Providence, then South Hardin schools.

“It was quite an undertaking, but a good one,” Johnson said. “I’m so happy with them.”

Sups OK bridge bid

Published by admin on Mon, 05/03/2021 - 9:50am

ELDORA – The Hardin County Supervisors approved a bid of $313,842.61 from Weidemann Inc. of Dows for a bridge replacement on X Avenue over Pine Creek near Pine Lake. Weidemann Inc. came in with the lowest bid over PCI of Reinbeck at $347,948.02, and Progressive Structures LLC of Elkader at $419,822.95

 

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