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Shenandoah Education Foundation to improve district branding with new signage
Bryan Clark
A look at what new signage will look like at the Shenandoah
Community School District.
Shenandoah Education Foundation
New signage is coming for the Shenandoah Community School District.
The Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation recently announced the launch of a new project to replace and update signage at key locations throughout the school district, including school entrances, a new monument sign and directional markers. This initiative is focused on enhancing school pride, reinforcing the district’s identity and officially ushering in the new era as the Shenandoah Community School District joins the Western Iowa Conference.
The new signs will feature a consistent and vibrant design, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to support the school district. The Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation has collaborated on this project with Shenandoah School Superintendent Kerri Nelson, and the district’s leadership, with final approval granted by the school board earlier this month.
“This is more than just replacing old signs.” The SIEF said in a release, “It’s about making a visible statement that we are proud of our schools, our students, the communities that make up SCSD and our commitment to the future. As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the Western Iowa Conference, this project will help unify our branding and excite our entire student body, faculty and community.”
The SIEF wishes to thank each donor responsible for making the project possible, especially the Family Challenge Participants, as well as Dr. Nelson and the SCSD Leadership.
Installation of the new signs is scheduled to begin this spring.
State-regional
Iowa Farm Environment Leader Award seeks nominations of conservation leaders
tammy.greunke
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.
Families selected for this year’s honor will be recognized during a ceremony at the 2026 Iowa State Fair as part of Iowa’s America 250 celebration, which will commemorate American independence and highlighting agriculture’s enduring role in our nation’s strength and prosperity, according to a news release.
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their community.
Each year, farm families from across the state are honored for leadership in implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till and reduced tillage, nutrient management, grassed waterways, wetlands, saturated buffers, bioreactors and many other innovative water quality practices that filter the water and hold soil in place.
“Iowa farm families are dedicated to protecting our agricultural land through nation-leading conservation practices, and I am honored to recognize their efforts each year at the Iowa State Fair,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in the news release. “Our farmers not only feed and fuel the world, but they do so while maintaining the health of our valuable cropland and waterways for generations to come. The Farm Environmental Leader Awards are a time to acknowledge their year-round commitment, and I look forward to meeting all of our honorees at this year’s ceremony.”
Award recipients will be announced during a ceremony on Aug. 19 at the Iowa State Fair. Families recognized this year will receive a special America250 seal on their certificate and have their photos taken in front of an America250 backdrop.
Nominations may be submitted by farmers, landowners, conservation professionals, commodity groups and members of the public. The nomination form can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. An appointed committee representing conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.
The deadline to nominate a farmer or farm family is Monday, May 4.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on the newly-introduced Iowa Farm Act
Local
5 speakers to share their knowledge at "Spring into Spring" garden conference
tammy.greunke
The Mills County Master Gardeners will be hosting the “Spring into Spring” garden conference on Saturday, March 21, at the Lakin Community Center, located on the Mills County Fairgrounds at 61321 315th St., in Malvern.
This full day of horticultural education is open to gardeners of all ages and abilities and will feature five speakers, according to a news release.
Gregory Fripp, the founder and CEO of Whispering Roots, will be among the featured speakers. This organization uses aquaculture, hydroponics, aquaponics (the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics) and urban agriculture to grow healthy food and expose children and families to nutritious food options through “hands on” experiential learning and growing activities.
Brad Rasmussen, Chance Brueggermann, Dessa Montgomery and Mickayla Yard also are slated to speak at the conference.
Rasmussen, who is from Atlantic, will share gardeners can help the environment by using native plants to help with erosion, water and air quality. Brueggermann, an oak woodland ecologist with the Northern Prairies Land Trust, will give a presentation about macrofungi, the major forms of mushrooms and their ecological roles in nature.
Montgomery, from Mills County Conservation and Parks, will talk about different ways to attract wildlife you want in your backyard, along with how to discourage wildlife you don’t. Yard, who works at Seed Stock Farms in Murdock, Nebraska, will walk attendees through how to start native seeds and what to do after they start growing.
Various vendors will be present at the conference. The conference begins with check in at 8:15 a.m. The first speaker begins at 9 a.m., and the conference will conclude at 3 p.m. Refreshments and lunch are included.
The registration fee is $30 if paid by Wednesday, March 18. Registrations made on the conference day will be $35.
To register online, go to: go.iastate.edu/WBKVD8, or contact the Mills County Extension Office at 712-624-8616.
Local
Iowa DNR planning prescribed burns across Southwest Iowa
Scott Stewart
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is planning to complete large prescribed burns in sites in Pottawattamie, Mills, Fremont and Cass counties this spring, late summer and fall.
A prescribed burn is shown at Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue,
Neb., on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
SCOTT STEWART, THE NONPAREIL
Iowa DNR wildlife and parks staff are planning burns in Blackburn, Lake Anita, Lake Manawa, Viking Lake and Waubonsie state parks as well as the following locations: Auldon Bar, Blackburn, Cooper Creek, Copeland Bend, Draper Bottoms, Eli Slusher, Green Hill, Green Hollow, Haynie Slough, Lake Anita, Lake Shawtee, Noddleman Island, O. S. Wing, Percival I-29, Possum Hollow, Riverton, Smith, St. Mary’s Island and Willow Slough Wildlife Areas.
Residents who are within 3 miles of prescribed burns could be affected by smoke. Anyong with health conditions that could be impacted is asked to contact wildlife biologist Matt Dollison at 712-350-0147 so Iowa DNR staff can take necessary precautions.
The Pottawattamie County Conservation Natural Areas Management team and area fire partners conducted a series of prescribed burns across the 1…
Local
Clarinda Easter Egg Hunt set for April 4
Bryan Clark
Clarinda area youth are excited for the morning of Saturday, April 4, as the annual Clarinda Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Clarinda City Park.
The hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be sectioned off into four age groups. 3 and under, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-10. All hunts take place simultaneously.
The Easter Bunny is expected to attend, and families are encouraged to bring their own baskets and arrive early.
In the event of inclement weather, the hunt will be moved indoors to the Clarinda Lied Recreational Center.
The Clarinda Kiwanis Club and Clarinda Chamber of Commerce are excited to host the event for the area’s children and families.
Local
CRHC receives Excellence in Healthcare Award
Bryan Clark
Clarinda Regional Health Center
The Clarinda Regional Health Center has been recognized with a 2026 PRC Excellence in Healthcare Award, earning a 4-star rating for inpatient services.
The Excellence in Healthcare Awards are presented annually by PRC and recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional performance in areas such as patient experience, employee engagement and physician alignment through patient feedback and survey data.
This distinction places CRHC among the top 25 percent of hospitals nationwide, based on results from the 2025 Inpatient Services Normative Database.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire Clarinda Regional Health Team,” CRHC CEO Chuck Nordyke said in the release. “Our staff works hard every day to provide compassionate, high-quality care for the patients and families we serve while continually advancing exceptional care in our community.”
Local
Top Story
3 state lawmakers plan to attend Clarinda legislative briefing on March 21
tammy.greunke
The Clarinda Chamber of Commerce and the Clarinda Economic Development Corporation are sponsoring the final legislative briefing of the 2026 session.
The event date is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Clarinda Lied Public Library, 100 E. Garfield St.
State Sen. Tom Shipley and Reps. Devon Wood, and Tom Moore plan to attend, according to a news release. They will provide insights into the current legislative agenda in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate, offering an opportunity for the public to engage directly with their elected officials.
This briefing is designed to serve as a platform for open dialogue, where citizens can pose their questions and gain a deeper understanding of the issues that directly impact their community, region and state.
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State Rep. Brent Siegrist discusses charter school funding on Feb. 14, 2026
Scenes from the prescribed burns at Hitchcock Nature Center November 2023
