First baby of year born to Ashley and Jeremy Varner

It took nearly three weeks, but the first baby born in the Northwood-Kensett school district in 2012, Lilyana Ann Varner, has arrived. Lilyana was born at 4:22 a.m. on Friday, January 20, at the Mayo Clinic, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Lilyana weighed seven pounds, 15 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Lilyana is the daughter of Ashley (Fredericks) Varner and Jeremy Varner, and sister of Derek, Kaitlyn, Hallie, Jayla and Kyler Varner. Lilyana’s aunt and uncles are Jesse Varner and Cody Fredericks, of Mason City, and Tim and Jen Fredericks of Davenport, Iowa. Lilyana’s grandpar­ents are Ivan and Robin Fredericks, of Northwood, and Sheila and Gary Miller, of Dumont, Iowa. Lilyana’s great-grandparents are Lila and the late Moses Brim, Manly; Odean and Marge Otterson, Clarks Grove, Minnesota; and Donna and the late Gerald Fredericks, Osage, Iowa. To congratulate Lilyana and her family for the designation as the first baby of 2012, a number of Northwood businesses will donate over $300 in gifts. Fallgatter's Market will help provide for many of the first baby's grocery needs, with a $15 gift certificate for baby products. Northland Custom Interiors will give a $20 gift certificate to help provide a special touch to the first baby's home. A few more lively decorative elements will be available thanks to a $20 gift certificate to Village Florist and Gifts. The first baby's parents will have a perfect place to store the baby’s first clothes, once the first baby has put them to good use, with a new laundry basket from Northwood True Value. One of the first baby's first toys will be provided by CARQUEST Auto Parts with a limited edition collector car. The first baby's family will eat well with a free large pizza from Soup's Pizzeria & Grill and a $20 gift certificate to Tequila’s Mexican Bar & Grill. They will also drink well with a bottle of wine from Shade Tree Liquors. The first baby’s parents will also be able to enjoy an evening out with a night at the movies, courtesy of the Northwood Theatre. Gifts for the first baby's financial future will come in the form of $50 savings bonds from Farmers State Bank and NSB Insurance, as well as $25 towards a new savings account from NSB Bank. The vehicle that transports the year's first baby will be well fueled with a $20 gas card from Fast Stop. The vehicle will also be maintained well with a free oil change at A & I Auto, Inc. The first baby will be kept safe with a fire extinguisher from Tenold Olson Hagen. A variety of other gift items will be provided with a baby gift basket from State Farm Insurance. They will also enjoy a special baby gift from Ver Helst Drug. And the first baby's parents will be kept up to date with local news and events, thanks to a one year subscription to the Northwood Anchor.

Council approves return to four officer force

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 24, the Northwood City Council discussed a direction for the Northwood Police Department and a request from the Northwood Volunteer Fire Company. Last year the future of the Northwood Police Department was the topic of discussion for several meetings, following the resignation of one officer and the firing of another. In the aftermath the Northwood City Council debated what the size of the police force should be, and whether or not the Worth County Sheriff Department could support or assume responsibility for the city’s law enforcement. At their last meeting in October 2011, the Council had opted to delay a decision, allowing Council members to seek further information about their options. At their last meeting in November, the Council approved a motion to proceed with a three person force, with discussion of allowing some time to see if having three officers on staff would be cost effective. At that meeting new overtime and holiday pay rates had also been approved. At their meeting last Tuesday the Council chose to continue with the Northwood Police Department, returning the size of the force to four officers. At Tuesday’s meeting Dorsey presented the Council with information on the amount that had been paid in overtime and holiday pay in the month of December and the first week of January. With 109 hours of overtime, and three holidays, a total of $2,480 had been paid. The Council’s past discussions in regards to the police department has included attempting to eliminate overtime pay, both to save City costs, and to reduce the burnout that has contributed to the turnover of Northwood officers. At last Tuesday’s meeting, after a motion to hire a fourth officer had been made by council member Gary Nerlien, council member Rhonda Taylor asked if eliminating overtime pay was to be a part of that motion. Nerlien stated that the motion was being made to begin the process of hiring a fourth officer, with overtime to be discussed more in the future. Also included in Nerlien’s motion was that the new officer’s salary would be based on qualifications, and that one city council member and the mayor would take part in the interview process. The Council approved the motion on a 4-1 vote, with Roger Rustad voting against. Also at the meeting, Northwood Volunteer Fire Company members Mitch Hanson and Brian Koster presented information on a new piece of equipment put into use by the department. That equipment both serves as a defibrillator, but also conducts EKGs, tests measuring the electrical activity of the heart. The new equipment has the capability of performing that test and transmitting the results to hospitals with compatible equipment, and with affiliated doctors on call. According to Hanson and Koster, that information would allow the doctors and surgeons to diagnose whether or not their eventual patient requires immediate transportation via ambulance, or if they could be transported by family or friends. Receiving the EKG results electronically would also allow the hospital to prepare for the type and level of surgical response that might be required, saving valuable time in the process. While the NVFC will have the new piece of equipment, they need a cell phone dedicated to transmitting the EKG information. The cell phone would also be used as an alternate central communication source in the event that radio communication was out of service. According to Hanson, the most inexpensive way for the NVFC to purchase and pay for the cell phone, and necessary data service, would be added to the City’s cellular account. They asked that the Council consider allowing them to be added, and that the NVFC would either pay the City in advance or reimburse the City for the monthly cell phone charges they incurred. Council member Jane Bloomingdale suggested that the City could pay for the related cell phone expense, considering the benefit to City residents. The rest of the council agreed and approved the NVFC request. In other business at their recent regular meeting, members of the Northwood City Council:

1. Learned that the visits to Iowa wastewater sites, intended to help determine how the City would proceed, had been postponed due to weather.

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1. Approved housing assistance of $997.

1. Learned that City Clerk Donna Tyrrell planned to retire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2012, after 22 ½ years with the City.

Gunderson sentenced in Halverson death

On Friday, Aaron Gunderson appeared in court to be sentenced for causing the death of seven-year-old Kadyn Halverson. Halverson was killed while boarding her school bus on May 10, when Gunderson passed the stopped bus. Gunderson pleaded guilty on January 6 to charges of Vehicle Homicide (Reckless Driving), a Class C felony, and leaving the Scene of an Accident (death related), a Class D felony. Gunderson, under the Class C felony count, faced a jail term not to exceed 10 years, a fine of at least $1,000, up to $10,000; and on the Class D felony, faced a sentence not to exceed five years in prison, and fines of at least $750, up to $7,500. In a plea agreement, the Attorney General had recommended that Gunderson serve terms not to exceed 10 years for the first count and five years for the second, and that the fines involved be suspended. Restitution had also been requested in the amount of $150,000. Last Friday Gunderson was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison on the charge of vehicular homicide, and five years on the charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The sentences will run consecutively. Under State law the first charge is classified as a forcible felony and Gunderson must serve 70 percent, or seven years of that sentence. Gunderson was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution. According to court documents $100,000 had been paid by insurance. Gunderson was to be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale before being sent to an Iowa prison to serve his sentence.

First Lutheran Quilters share comfort and camaraderie

By JoAnn Lower

On any given Thursday morning (excluding holidays), the quilters of Northwood’s First Lutheran Church gather in the church’s basement. This group of talented and diverse quilters and quilt artists has been sharing their friendship and knowledge – some for as little as six months, others for more than 25 years said veteran quilter Iola Bakken. “My mother, grandmother and sister were all quilters, but it was my sister who taught me how to quilt.” In the summer of 2011, Iola made a total of 30 quilt tops. “Our quilts go for a worthy cause,” she said, “and I enjoy the fellowship of our quilters.” First Lutheran Quilters formed their group in the 1980s, meeting just once a month. For years they made quilts only for Lutheran World Relief but in recent years have branched out by also providing quilts for benefits and disasters. These hard-working women sent 45 quilts to Cedar Rapids after the 2008 flood and 35 quilts to 35 happy little boys in a South American orphanage. “It’s nice to see our quilts used and appreciated,” they smiled, “and what is as comforting as a homemade quilt atop your bed?” Some of the delighted recipients of these beautiful quilts are young people at Bible camps, and every year several are presented to the Lutheran Retirement Home for their Fall Festival. These enthusiastic women, wholeheartedly committed to the worthwhile cause of comforting others, are Lois Hogen, Iola Bakken, Verna Weitzel, Elaine Orman, Fran Pixley, Helen Senne, Joanne Doan, Janet Severson, Fran Olson, Shirley Olson and Sharyl Ferley. Contributing their valuable expertise behind the scenes are Margaret Berge and Vivian Quam. Margaret hems all the quilts, while Vivian sews squares together and has quilted more than 500 quilt tops. First Lutheran Quilters are always in need of donations of sheets and blankets to be used for quilt middles and cotton material for quilt tops. They also accept financial donations. Interested in quilting or learning how to quilt? Then come on down to see the First Lutheran Quilters in action – every Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., with refreshment breaks in the middle. Its good fun, good fellowship and good food!

Parenting Fair set for Feb. 23

The annual Worth County Parenting Fair will take place at the Central Springs High School in Manly on Thursday, February 23. The program will feature Northwood - Kensett High School graduate Hailee Rustad, who will share her story of following her dreams and experiencing a whirlwind tour around the globe following her graduation from Iowa State University. Shana Butler, from Worth County Public Health, will also lead a health education workshop and games for kids that evening in the Central Springs High School gym. Those wanting more information about the free program may e-mail Worth County Extension Education Specialist Dennis Johnson at djohn@ia.state.edu or call the Worth County Extension Office in Northwood at (641) 324- 1531.

Fair meeting to be held Feb. 9

Worth County Fair Board members, fair superintendents, 4-H committee members and 4-H leaders will meet to make plans for the 2012 Worth County Fair on Thursday, February 9, at 8 p.m. at the Northwood Civic Center. The meeting will be held to set schedules, finalize show plans and announce any new improvements for this summer’s 2012 Worth County Fair, which will be held June 12-18. For more information contact Dennis Johnson at Worth County Extension at (641) 324-1531 or by e-mail at djohn@ia.state.edu.