Ida County Courier

09/30/2025

A little free pantry for Odebolt

By: Dan Mundt
Ida County Courier

Odebolt is now home to a new service for individuals in need.

The Odebolt Little Free Pantry has been located outside the Odebolt Public Library for just over a month.

The pantry is the creation of Kendra Grote, who teaches ESL (English as a second language) at OABCIG and runs Grote’s Goodies from her home in rural Odebolt.

“You’ve seen those little libraries on the trail in Ida Grove where you can take a book and leave a book,” Kendra said. “I thought it would be useful to do a pantry.”

She said that as a teacher, she is aware that some students and their families could benefit from a free pantry.

“Last September, my husband and I were chatting about it and how it would be a fun project to do,” she said. “I took it to the city council, and they thought a good location for it would be at the public library. So I met with the library board and they were excited about the idea.”

Caption: The new little free pantry is for community members to help others who may need assistance with household items. Photo by Dan Mundt

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https://www.idacountycourier.com/content/little-free-pantry-odebolt

09/30/2025

Ridge View falls to West Monona 3-1

By: Brent Harm
Sports Editor

The Ridge View volleyball squad hosted West Monona in a conference showdown at Holstein last week. The visiting Spartans came into the contest sporting a 16-2 record, and a #12 ranking in the state of Iowa.

The Raptors looked to pull an upset, building a 22-13 lead in game one. Ridge View then withstood a Spartan rally to claim a 25-22 victory, and a 1-0 lead in the match.

It was all West Monona after that, however, as the Spartans reeled off three straight wins by scores of 25-13, 25-17, and 25-21.

The Raptors were led at the net by Haley Wright with 12 kills, and Olivia Feilmeier with 10. Alyssa Biede had four kills, while Naunika Crum and Claire Wandrey both made three kills. Zoey Aschinger led the team in assists with 22, while Callie Wendt distributed six assists.

Caption: A “Chance” encounter: Ridge View’s Gillian Chance hammers the ball over the net, during the Raptors’ showdown with West Monona. Photo by Brent Harm

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https://www.idacountycourier.com/content/ridge-view-falls-west-monona-3-1

09/30/2025

OABCIG cross country runners compete at Mapleton:
Falcons’ Gabriel Bergman captures second place

By: Brent Harm
Sports Editor

The OABCIG cross country team competed in the MVAO/COU meet in Mapleton on Thursday.

In girls results, the Falcons’ Addi Lomholt won seventh place out of 64 runners with a time of 22:05.83.

Olivia Schnabel finished in the top half of the field, placing 27th in a time of 25:11.53. Lauren Siegner clocked in at 27:18.08, followed closely by Camryn Ludwig, who crossed the finish line in 27:22.64.

In boys action, OABCIG’s Gabriel Bergman captured second place out of 78 competitors, turning in a time of 16:51.03, less than four seconds behind the leader. The Falcons’ Hunter Maier won sixth place, clocking in at 17:34.12.

Zachariah Johnson placed in the top 30, crossing the finish line in 20:32.79. Will Porter turned in a time of 21:23.05, and right on his heels was Jaxin Neville with a time of 21:26.34. Aaron Ulrich contributed with a time of 22:16.09.

Caption: Ready-set-go!: OABCIG’s Gabriel Bergman and Hunter Maier take off with the rest of the pack at the MVAO/COU cross country meet. Bergman captured second place at Mapleton, while Maier won sixth place. Photo by Brent Harm

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https://www.idacountycourier.com/content/oabcig-cross-country-runners-compete-mapleton-falcons%E2%80%99-gabriel-bergman-captures-second-place

09/30/2025

Pick up this week's copy of the Ida County Courier and find...

•Ridge View Homecoming
•OABCIG Homecoming Court
•Doc Samson Memorial
•Country School Days
•King Theatre Concert Series
•IG Fall Market
•OABCIG / Ridge View football and volleyball
•OABCIG Cross Country

Or subscribe online to access these stories and more right from your device at
https://idacountycourier.com/

09/30/2025

OABCIG conquers Spirit Lake 24-17:
Falcons trail Indians 10-8 at halftime

By: Brent Harm
Sports Editor

The OABCIG football squad got back on the winning track Friday night in Ida Grove, topping Spirit Lake 24-17. The Falcons had lost a couple of tough road games at Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley and Carroll Kuemper, but bounced back with a big Class 2A District 2 victory.

The visiting Indians got on the scoreboard first, taking a 7-0 lead on a short touchdown pass with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

OABCIG responded early in the second quarter, capping off a drive with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Raif Jensen. Jaxx DeJean caught the two-point conversion pass, and the Falcons found themselves up 8-7.

With 15 seconds left in the half, Spirit Lake booted a 39-yard field goal, giving them a slim 10-8 advantage heading into the break.

The Falcons came out fired up in the second half, mounting another drive which culminated with an 11-yard touchdown run by Kade Spotts. Jensen passed the ball to Eiden Skirvin for the two-point conversion, and at the 9:43 mark of the third quarter, OABCIG reclaimed the lead at 16-10.

Caption: Jack makes the catch!: A Spirit Lake tackler leaves his feet to latch onto OABCIG’s Jack Gilbert, after this reception in the fourth quarter. Gilbert and the Falcons won a back-and-forth, 24-17 victory over the Indians. Photo by Brent Harm

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https://www.idacountycourier.com/content/oabcig-conquers-spirit-lake-24-17-falcons-trail-indians-10-8-halftime

09/30/2025

Ridge View routs Lawton-Bronson 42-0 for a happy homecoming!

By: Brent Harm
Sports Editor

Homecoming week at Ridge View High School was punctuated with a fine performance on the football field, as the Raptors rolled past Lawton-Bronson 42-0 on Friday night at Russ Kraai Field.

Ridge View scored early and often, beginning with a 24-yard touchdown run by Derek Heilman just a minute into the contest, as the Raptors grabbed a quick 7-0 lead.

On Ridge View’s next possession, quarterback Broc Wilken completed a short pass to Zach Kolpin, who broke a couple of tackles and zoomed 54 yards down the sideline for another Raptor score. The extra point kick was good, and Ridge View increased their advantage to 14-0.

At the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, Heilman broke free again for an 18-yard touchdown run, and the Raptors had built a 21-0 cushion after one period of play.

Things slowed down a bit in the second quarter, as both defenses rose to the occasion. Then, with just 28 seconds until halftime, Wilken hooked up with Kolpin again, this time on a 31-yard touchdown pass, as Ridge View headed to the break up 28-0.

Caption: Lucas Lunges forward: Ridge View’s Lucas Heilman stretches out for an extra yard or two at the end of a tough run. Lucas led the Raptor rushing attack against Lawton-Bronson with 142 yards and a touchdown. Photo by Brent Harm

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https://www.idacountycourier.com/content/ridge-view-routs-lawton-bronson-42-0-happy-homecoming

09/30/2025

Ridge View royalty: 2025 Ridge View homecoming king and queen are Brayden Blum and Reese Hawthorne.
Photo by Brent Harm / Ida County Courier

09/30/2025

OABCIG Homecoming: ‘There’s No Place Like Home’

By: Michael Hohenbrink
Mid-America Publishing

OABCIG is celebrating its Homecoming this week: Sept. 29-Oct. 3. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “There’s No Place Like Home.”

Homecoming Week kicked off at OABCIG Monday, Sept. 29 with an Elementary and Middle School dress up theme of Homerun with Jersey Day/Favorite Team apparel.

Tuesday, Sept. 30 is themed around Home on the Range with a Western/Farmer/Cowboy approach, and Wednesday, Oct. 1 is Home for the Holidays with Christmas Attire/Ugly Sweaters/Christmas Pajamas, as 5 p.m. sees grilling downtown, a parade at 6 p.m. and coronation at the high school at 7 p.m., followed by a Pep Rally at 7:30 p.m. and Super Class Night at 8 p.m. at the high school.

Thursday, Oct. 2 will bring Home of the Brave with a Red, White and Blue approach, and then Friday, Oct. 3, is Hometown Home with Falcon Spirit to be on display.

For high school students, the dress up theme Homerun was also in place for Monday with Tuesday being Chillin with my Homies (dressing with a friend or group of friends), Home for the holidays Wednesday, Home of the brave Thursday with the Red, White and Blue theme, and Hometown Home Friday with Falcon Spirit.

The OABCIG football team will take on Estherville Lincoln Central in the Homecoming game, Oct. 3, with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Caption: 2025 OABCIG Homecoming Court: Front, from left: Stella Remer, Cecily Jacobson, Courtney Ackerman, Hailey Bender, Sophi Johnson, and Sydney Neubauer. Back row: Jack Gilbert, Chace Schiernbeck, Caden Spetman, Dalton Mefferd, Isaac Hoefling, and Kade Spotts. Photo by Brent Harm

09/26/2025

09/25/2025

OABCIG - IG Country School Days

Reading time: Mrs. Cathy Taylor leads the Ida Grove elementary fourth graders with some story time at Country School Day. Students include, from left: Jager Lund, Delaney Ullrich, Kasen Murray, Cole Wellendorf, and Maia Montgomery.

Photo by Brent Harm / Ida County Courier

09/25/2025

Bethel Lutheran Church - 150th Anniversary!

Bethel Lutheran Church in Kiron celebrated its 150th Anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 21 with a Communion Service followed by a free-will dinner. The church, located at 103 Clover Street in Kiron, was founded in 1875 by a group of Swedish settler, and had 25 charter members.

Photo by Brent Harm / Ida County Courier

09/25/2025

Ribbon cutting at Cobblestone:

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday at Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Holstein, to celebrate the completion of the hotel’s new addition. Stacy Brown and Katie Reinhardt (with scissors) of Cobblestone Inn & Suites, along with Martha Boyle, Holstein Chamber of Commerce President, cut the ribbon. Also pictured are North Ida Builders Directors, Cobblestone Hotels Executives, employees of the hotel, and Chamber of Commerce members.

Photo by Brent Harm / Ida County Courier