Below are the stories used in this week’s summary:
One Teen Dead, Another Airlifted After Crash West of Hull
The Iowa State Patrol released the names of those involved in a fatal crash on Tuesday at the north junction of Highways 75 and 18, west of Hull. Authorities say 17-year-old Dominic Olvera Flores of Rock Valley pulled onto Highway 75 in a Cadillac Escalade and was struck by a semi. His passenger, 17-year-old Axel De Santos, also of Rock Valley, was taken to Sioux Center Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Olvera Flores was airlifted to Sioux Falls. The semi driver, 53-year-old Michael Bembenek of Wisconsin, was not hurt. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. For possible opportunities to help the families affected, visit the Rock Valley Community Schools Facebook page.
Dordt University Named Top Nursing School in Iowa for 2026
Dordt University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has been ranked the best in Iowa for 2026 by Registerednursing.org. The site says Dordt stood out for its innovative curriculum, more than 570 clinical hours, and a 100% pass rate on the nursing licensure exam. Officials also highlighted Dordt’s Christian-based approach, state-of-the-art labs, and strong student support. Rounding out Iowa’s top five programs were the University of Dubuque, Mount Mercy University, Kirkwood Community College, and the University of Iowa.
Lyon County Introduces SRO Program
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has added a School Resource Officer (SRO) this year. Deputy Bill Minor, a veteran officer and parent of school-age children, will serve K–12 students in all three public school districts, along with visits to Inwood Christian and Northwest Iowa Protestant in Doon. His role includes enhancing school safety, assisting with instruction, and serving as a mentor and role model. The Sheriff’s Office thanked local school leaders and county supervisors for supporting the program.
Sanborn Man Faces Drug Trafficking Charges
A Sanborn man could face more than 100 years in prison if convicted on multiple drug charges. Authorities say 29-year-old Hunter Koontz sold meth to informants earlier this year, sometimes near schools, parks, and the swimming pool in Sanborn. Koontz faces four counts of drug trafficking, each carrying up to 25 years, plus three drug tax stamp violations that could add another five years each. He was arrested on Tuesday and remains in the O’Brien County Jail on a $75,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for September 19th.
The Ridge Golf Course Featured in Golf Digest Article
The Ridge Golf Course in Sioux Center is getting national recognition. Golf Digest has featured The Ridge in its “Best Little Golf Towns” series, alongside courses in South Carolina, Washington, and New York. Head Golf Professional Karrie Van Ravenswaay says the honor highlights the course, which opened in 2009. The Ridge has earned multiple awards over the years, including top-25 honors for its PGA Junior League program for six straight years. You can find the link to the Golf Digest story with our full report here.
Dordt Records Fifth Straight Record Enrollment, Northwestern Surpasses Enrollment Goal
Northwestern College is seeing another strong enrollment year. New student numbers beat goals by more than ten percent, with 354 new students this fall, including the most transfers in nearly a decade. Overall enrollment is 1,665 — the fourth largest in school history. And at Dordt University, it’s a record for the fifth year in a row. Dordt welcomed just over 2,000 students this fall, including more than 1,600 undergrads and nearly 250 graduate students. School leaders credit strong programs and new facilities for helping drive that growth.
Renovations Continue at West Sioux Schools
Renovation projects are underway in the West Sioux Community School District after voters approved a $15.5 million bond in 2023. Superintendent Steve Grond says work is happening in both Hawarden and Ireton. At Ireton Elementary, projects include a new classroom wing, gym renovations, and new windows and doors. In Hawarden, updates feature two new classrooms, storage space, and the removal of portable classrooms, along with HVAC, electrical, and lighting improvements. You can hear more from Grond’s interview on the Daily Grind here.
Highway 75 Construction Update for September
Construction on Highway 75 in Sioux Center is making steady progress. Crews are wrapping up underground utility work around the 3rd Street North intersection and preparing that area for paving. From 5th Street South to 2nd Street North, the roadway is paved, with sidewalks and streetlights being installed, as well as colored concrete in the downtown medians. The next public update meeting is Wednesday morning, October 8th, at 11:00, at the Sioux Center Public Library.
View all of our local news stories here. View last week’s summary here.
