The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is recommending to finish pruning oak trees immediately to prevent the spread of oak wilt.

“Typically, we suggest to stop pruning oaks around March 15,” said Tivon Feeley, forest health program leader with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “But the unseasonably warm February has moved up that date. Pruning oak trees should stop now out of an abundance of caution.”

More than 950 acres of Iowa land in 14 counties with an estimated value of more than $3.9 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.

The donors associated with 12 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 14, from 2-3 p.m., in the first floor rotunda, at the state Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is scheduled to attend.

Listed below are the donors:

You’ve seen it before. Maybe even participated. A group has gathered and they’re talking about who-knows-what.

Eventually the conversation turns to fishing, and, often, a non-fisherman in the group says that he doesn’t go fishing because he doesn’t have the patience to sit there and wait for a fish to come along. I think to myself of the successful anglers that I’ve fished with over the years. Usually patience was not an attribute they possessed.

What can I say, but “What a weekend!” I kicked it off on Friday with a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the 2024 Pheasants Forever National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic at the Denny Sanford Premier Center and Convention Center on Friday. My wife went along to rendezvous with her sister, while I spent over three hours just taking in everything possible!

Billed as the nation’s largest upland trade show and convention … from my perspective, “Yup, they’re right!”

DES MOINES — In its first ever state game, the Sioux Central Rebel girls basketball team started off hot and managed to hold off a second half surge by Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont to come up with a 52-48 IGHSAU Class 2A quarterfinal win Tuesday night.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team ended regular season play 24-6 overall and 14-4 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play after defeating Iowa Western by a basket — 71-69. The win secures the two seed in the Region 11 Tournament.

The Lakers were led by Kai Evans with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Sam West with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Iowa Western was led by Ikenna Ude Smith with 28 points.

SIOUX RAPIDS — “This is the first time ever,” said Kasey Krager, Sioux Central head girls basketball coach.

Local Shriners Steve Waller and Dean Jacobsen met with Spencer High School football cheerleaders Veronica Studer and Eve Maker to congratulate them on being selected the cheerleading team for the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl football game. The cheerleaders will report to camp in Cedar Falls on July 15. During the week they will be kept busy with rigorous training and lots of fun.

MASON CITY — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team moved to 23-6 overall and 13-4 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play with a 93-75 win over NIACC.

The Lakers were led by Benard Omooria with 21 points, Jaden Jefferson added 19 points, Sam West had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Kai Evans had 15 points and Blake Kooiman had 10 points.

Wyatt Helming led the way for NIACC with 20 points.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Iowa Lakes Community College softball team earned two wins in their opening weekend in Rochester. The Lakers combined for 14 hits in their game one 17-0 five-inning win over Minnesota North College-Vermillion. They then put up nine runs in the fifth inning to complete their second run-rule game of the day. This time with a 11-3 win over Central Lakes College-Brainerd. The Lakers are 2-0 on the season.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Iowa Hawkeyes No. 4-ranked women’s and men’s basketball teams will return to the Sanford Pentagon in the 2024-25 season for a nonconference game on Dec. 21. An opponent will be announced later. This marks the fourth trip to the Pentagon for the Iowa men’s program. Tickets will be as low as $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Feb. 29 online only at ticketmaster.com.

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School will be sending archers to the Iowa State Archery Tournament, March 1-3. IGLLS has had a strong archery team for several years and this year is no exception with several students qualifying for state. The school had six qualify for bullseye, one qualify in 3D, and three qualify in both bullseye and 3D. (Photos submitted)

The weather is starting to feel like spring, but water temperatures are still dangerously cold.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends that paddlers wait for consistent warm weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. It could be several weeks before water temperatures are ideal and safe as water and air temperatures continue to change.

The results for the 14th Annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Photography Contest are in. Local resident Bill Beardsley won the Keep Iowa Beautiful Social Media Favorite Award. Entitled “Majestic Sunrise,” the photo captures the morning beauty of Big Spirit Lake. Judges noted: “Taken in Dickinson County, Iowa, this photo truly captures the beauty of our state.”

It’s this time of year when people who fish gather in a variety of locations. It might be at a sportshow, maybe a fishing seminar, sometimes at a bait shop. The talk will start with current subjects like the Super Bowl, college basketball, families or almost anything else.

Eventually the conversation will turn to fishing. In late winter and early spring, fishing equipment will be a popular topic. One area that gets lots of attention is fishing line.