JEWELL — Despite three scores by Kinnick Fahrenkrog, Sioux Central fell a point short. After a failed conversion attempt in the second quarter and the lack of scoring in the second half proved the difference against South Hampton in the 22-21 Hawk win. The first round Class 1A postseason loss ended the Rebels' season.

HOLSTEIN — “I am so proud of the work these teams have put in this season and I can’t wait to watch them run at state,” said Kelsey Miller, Sioux Central head coach.

The Rebel girls and boys qualified for the State Meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday. Both squads placed second in their respective races at the District Meet, hosted by Holstein, Thursday.

Despite warm weather persisting in much of the state, roughly 6,000 deer have been registered so far through the youth and disabled hunter seasons, and the opening of the archery and early muzzleloader seasons, which is slightly higher than both last year and the five-year average.

The crop harvest, cooling temperatures and approaching rut, should increase deer activity leading to greater harvest success.

What a long and beautiful fall Iowans have experienced, and it appears there will be more. Fall is a great time to catch fish in Iowa’s rivers. A unique angling challenge is hidden around every bend.

“You are never far from one of Iowa’s many rivers,” said Greg Gelwicks, interior rivers research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Reourses. “Fall is a great time to give them a try.”

Fish become more active and hungry when the stream temperature drops.

We’re into the first week of November, and the mild weather continues, but oh my, it is so dry! Pretty much all of Iowa is under some degree of drought. Hard to believe we have come from late June’s intense flooding in northwest Iowa to the abnormally dry condition we are experiencing right now. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there is much chance of significant moisture over the next couple of weeks.

I am often asked the question, “What can I do to improve the water quality of my lake?” I always immediately state, join a lake protective association because they function in our best interests. However, an easy thing that everyone who owns property can do is to soil quality restoration.

WHAT IS SOIL QUALITY RESTORATION?

As we move toward the month of November, there are so many hunting and fishing opportunities. There is so much that it’s easy to catch yourself coming and going.

However, there are some things coming up in November that are worth checking out.

STAN’S ICE KICKOFF & FISH FRY

Spencer vs. Fort Dodge

7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25 — Dale Norton Field, Spencer

COACH JIM TIGHE ON STORM LAKE LAST WEEK

SPENCER — Finishing out the season at home Tuesday against Sioux City West, the results may not have been what the home team wanted but it was a good lead in to districts. Although the Tigers lost the meet by 24 points, they recorded a personal best and multiple first place finishes.

“We had a great meet and enjoyed celebrating our seniors this evening and the leadership they have brought to the team,” Spencer coach Amie Lawrence said.

HARLAN — Peyton Morey's top 10 finish earned her a return trip to the state meet in her senior year. As a junior, Rylei Koppie had the best finish of the day, also finishing in the top 10.

Koppie’s fifth and Morey’s eighth made them the lone Tigers to advance.

Kiera Brown attempts kill at Le Mars Tuesday night in the quarterfinal round of Class 4A play. The Bulldogs swept the Tigers out of the plays, ending their season. (Photo by Scott Merchant)

CLASS 4A REGION 2 VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINAL

Spencer at Le Mars

Tuesday, Oct. 22 — Le Mars

Teams 1 2 3 4 5 ― T

Tigers 8 12 17 x x — 0

Bulldogs 25 25 2 x x — 3

Middle hitter Avery Wilson posted four kills and was 10-for-10 serving in Monday’s three-game loss at Manson-Northwest Webster. The Cougars ended the Rebels' season in the first round of postseason volleyball action. (Photo by Scott Merchant)

CLASS 2A REGION 6 VOLLEYBALL OPENER

Sioux Central at Manson-Northwest Webster

Monday, Oct. 21 — Manson

Teams 1 2 3 4 5 ― T

Rebels 20 17 20 x x — 0

Another busy camping year in Iowa state parks is coming to an end and staff are preparing for the first freezing temperatures of the fall.

State parks will begin winterizing their facilities this week including shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses.

Campers can check the status of water availability in a particular park by going to iowadnr.gov/parkclosures. The page is updated regularly by park staff.

Fall is usually a good time to plant trees with mild temperatures and adequate ground moisture. With drought conditions across Iowa this fall, watering newly planted trees on a regular schedule through the 2025 growing season is essential for a strong start and healthy life. Properly planted and maintained trees will have a better opportunity for a long, healthy life,” said Mark Vitosh, district forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

From the time I was a little kid, I lived for the opener of pheasant season. And why not? I lived on a farm several miles south of Redfield in north central South Dakota. A town that was widely acclaimed as the “Pheasant Capital of the World.” As a grade-schooler in the late mid-to-late ‘50s, I could not wait until the South Dakota opener the third Saturday of October.