January
– The EGHS wrestling team has five sets of brothers on the team.
– Huntley’s PitStop opens Meals To Go business.
– Tyler and KyLee Fischer have the first baby of the year in Wright County.
– Feature story shares the journey of Tiffany Christensen becoming a two-time All American runner.
– Anthony Wubben named EG EMS Provider of the Year.
– 100+ Women Who Care group formed in Eagle Grove to make a big impact on people needing help.
– EG Recreation Center announced a new 2020 project – will be part of Wellness Center.
– Announcement made that a new mural has been chosen to be painted on the side of Ben Franklin. Work will begin when warmer weather arrives. Being painted by EGHS graduate Rachael “Ray” Smith.
– Don Deuel named Allbaugh Award winner. His charity of choice to give the prize of $500 to was the Veterans Memorial Tower project.
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February
– Leland Williams joins Eagle Grove Police Department.
– Matt Shannon named new Eagle Grove Fareway grocery manager.
– Donkey basketball returns to EG.
– Eagle Grove in the running for HGTV “Home Town” makeover.
– New Eagle Grove WasteWater Plant turns one year old.
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March
– Lewis Nickell shares his stories from WWII.
– Aarron Eilerts Day inspired project (making one-of-a-kind Eagle Grove photo buttons) raises money that will be awarded to one deserving EGHS senior in the form of scholarship money.
– Jump Rope for Heart held at Eagle Grove Elementary.
– Head Start holds Open House at their new building in Eagle Grove.
– Eagle Grove School Superintendent Jess Toliver presented with State TEAM award.
– Chase Quintus elected to fill open Eagle Grove City Council seat.
– EG Chamber hosts “First Friday Coffee.”
– EGHS alumni (1977) Debra Ripperger, (daughter of Blanche Bosteder), is named to 100 Great Iowa Nurses list.
– Demolition resumes on Hewett Park tennis courts to make way for new multi-purpose area.
– EG students provided with free sack breakfasts and lunches during the weekdays after COVID forces school closures for remainder of the school year.
– EG school teachers/staff hold a wave parade past their students’ houses.
– Community members come together to purchase flowers to be delivered to all Rotary Senior Living residents who are not allowed visitors due to COVID.
– Eagle Grove firefighters participate in “Lights On” movement across the nation as a sign of strength and hope for front line workers during the pandemic.
– Mistee Briese and Tina Gamache hand out free homemade protective face masks, toilet paper, and baby wipes to do their part to help in the pandemic.
– Wright County asks the public for help – to donate any protective equipment you might have for front line workers.
– Goldfield Veterinary Clinic welcomes new full time vet, Brittanie Grant.
April
– Wave Parade held at Rotary Senior Living.
– Betty Jo Weland fills her garage door with hearts holding the names of front line workers in Wright County as well as family members of Wright County residents.
– EG schools begin offering online learning options since they will not return back to school for the remainder of the school year.
– Eagle Grove Ministerial Association hosts Mark 6:37 campaign to feed the hungry.
– Dr. Aaron Paarrott joins Eagle Grove School Board.
– First Scoop the Loop held in Eagle Grove as a fun socially distanced activity for the community to enjoy.
– EGHS Prom cancelled due to COVID-19.
– Daybreak Food gives away 12,600 dozen eggs to help feed local people during COVID.
– Vicki Parrott, Shelby Pedersen, and Emily Dawson among the many locals sewing face masks to give away during COVID-19 pandemic.
– Churches closed for Easter for safety reasons relating to the pandemic.
– Eagle Grove turns lights on at the football field and baseball fields to honor all athletes missing out on sports seasons due to the Coronavirus.
May
– The Wright County Fair Board announces the 2020 fair will not open to the public due to COVID-19.
– Eagle Grove School Board votes 3 – 2 against having a summer baseball/softball season.
– Eagle Grove Memorial Library gets a new outdoor Eagle’s nest display, donated by Mevin Snell.
– Eagle Grove Eagle newspaper launches a new website.
– Briauna Mingus is EGHS Class of 2020 Salutatorian..
– Kennedy Soper is EGHS Class of 2020 Valedictorian.
– Wright County officials strongly encourage residents to wear masks.
– Free Lunch Program (usually offered in the summer) returns for all Eagle Grove kids due to COVID pandemic.
– Lewright Meats processes 4,283 pounds of pork that Iowa Pork Producers of Des Moines
June
– Graduation ceremonies are finally held for the EGHS Class of 2020 after being delayed more than a month by COVID. For the first time, an outdoor ceremony was held and students were socially distanced. Megan Schafer and Jacob Graham had their own ceremony on the Schafer lawn as they were both in quarantine due to exposure.
– Eagle Grove High School building turns 100 years old.
– Work begins on the new Eagle Grove mural, painted by 2012 EGHS graduate Rachael “Ray” Smith.
– Announcement made that the Eagle Grove Family Aquatic Center will not open this year due to COVID concerns.
– 2019 Boone River cleanup turns into 2020 Goldfield River Park masterpiece.
– Nick Hanson begins work on Military Salute Wall at Eagle Grove High School.
– First State Bank/Town & Country Insurance made $20,000 to Zach Whipple for Parks and Rec effort to expand the Wellness Center.
– Carl Steil makes a Thank You pallet to show his, and our community’s, appreciation for local essential workers during COVID-19 and at all times. He placed the sign at Gazebo Park in Eagle Grove.
– “The Grove” Inn & Suites Hotel opens in Eagle Grove.
– Artsy Mama (Jamie Johnston) applies to be on the television show “Making It.”
July
– Wright County health officials get candid about COVID-19 – asks the public to wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands often.
– The Wright County Fair is held, despite major revisions due to COVID-19. 4-H and FFA participants were allowed to enter projects but spectators were not allowed. All other events were cancelled.
– El Valle La Tienda Mexicana opens new grocery store in Eagle Grove.
– Lewright’s closes deli to make room for a bigger processing area.
– Brandy Klin and D’Angelo Dismute share their story of postponing their wedding due to COVID restrictions.
– First COVID death confirmed in Wright County
– New Eagle Grove business, Red Head Tribe Logo, holds ribbon cutting.
– Quinn Whaley rebuilds/repairs horse arena announcers booth as 4-H project.
August
– Senator Joni Ernst makes stop at Prestage Foods
– Wright County Board of Health votes to decertify home care side of Public Health
– GoServ Global helps with Iowa derecho clean up.
– First National Bank commits $15,000 for Eagle Grove Wellness Center expansion.
– Eagle’s Wings receives $10,000 from our Foundation for the Future.
– EG students return to school for in-person learning with extra COVID precautions in place.
– State corrects error in COVID-19 reporting.
– Twiins Shoppe expands to Clarion.
– Jared Carter is new principal at Eagle Grove Elementary.
– Despite the annual Back To School Lunch being cancelled due to COVID, the Chamber is still able to deliver bags overflowing with school supplies from and coupons to area businesses.
– Heather Brown organizes non-profit “No Child Hungry” program to provide students in need of food with groceries over long holiday breaks.
– Expansion announced for Eagle Grove Wellness Center expansion. Will include recreation amenities.
– Wright County Charitable Foundation celebrates 15th Anniversary.
– The Eagle Grove Eagle newspaper moves a few doors down to their new location – 308 W. Broadway.
– Amy Ascherl, RBMS PE teacher, recognized by DNR for outstanding program.
September
– Wright County Deputy run over in Eagle Grove, suspect apprehended.
– Derricklee Harms and Emmy Huse crowned EGHS 2020 Homecoming King and Queen.
– Eagle Grove City Council awards contracts for Facade, Streetscape projects.
– Freshmen girls claim 2020 Homecoming Powderpuff championship title.
– EG Area School District announces free lunches for all students.
– Mark Hennigar featured as Eagle Grove’s newest police officer.
– Local farmers help RBMS get $15,000 for STEAM programs.
– Emily Zahurones is the new Wright County Youth Coordinator.
– Samuel Lutheran Church of Eagle Grove donates $25,000 for Safe T Home®.
October
– Eagle Grove staff members and teachers donate money to have a bench made in memory of Jan Rowen who not only made shirts for numerous school functions and sporting teams, but was also an avid supporter of all Eagle Grove athletes as well as community functions.
– Twin Towers and Pearl Harbor images added to Veterans Memorial Tower in Eagle Grove.
– Announcement made that Eagle Grove school students will have free lunches until the end of school year because of COVID.
– MidAmerican Energy Company announces Eagle Grove office will be closing.
– AGP pleiades $75,000 to Eagle Grove Wellness Center.
– Eagle Grove School Board approves mask mandate.
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November
– Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce takes over Community Thanksgiving Feast.
– EGHS Class of 1967 gave EGHS Dollars for Scholars $1,500.
– EGHS Senior Tori Huntley makes the Iowa Heart traveling volleyball team.
– Governor Kim Reynolds orders mask mandate on large social gatherings as COVID-19 surges across the state.
– WWII Veteran Bettie Koob shares memories of love and patriotism.
– Wright County announces mask requirement at all public indoor spaces.
– An anonymous donor gave Eagle Grove School District money to pay off all outstanding lunch balances.
– EGHS Music Department performs “Freaky Friday” but only for family members because of COVID restrictions and safety measures.
– Voter turnout for 2020 election exceeds 76%, surpassing 2016 numbers.
– Derricklee Harms shares his story of recovering from leukemia.
– RBMS students cast their votes at school for who they would vote for in the 2020 election if they were old enough to have their votes counted.
– Mitchell Sskow joins Eagle Grove Police Department.
– Annual Downtown Halloween Walk held in Eagle Grove, following COVID safety protocols.
– Active COVID cases in Iowa increase by 33% in one week.
– Area businesses and community members donate water bottles for every Eagle Grove student to use in school since water fountains will be shut down due to COVID.
December
– Nick Mersch memorial blood drive collects enough donations to save 145 lives.
– Christmas through the windowpane with the Amonson family shares how Christmas looked different this year due to COVID.
– Iowa and Wright County receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine.
– Prestage Foods of Iowa employees donate more than $2,500 to buy bikes for local children through Upper Des Moines Opportunity Bikes for Tykes program.
– Golden Stars Drill Team present their second place pom and third place jazz State trophies to EGHS Athletic Director Richard Thacker.
– HappyGams make their way to Eagle Grove residents living at Rotary Senior Living.
– Tom Thieelen retires after 50 years on Eagle Grove Fire Department.
– Eagle Grove Chamber sponsors Ugly Mask contest and Twinkle Tour.
– Huntley PitStop moves and expands to have sit-down seating.
– Alyssa Dooley shares her journey of being pregnant while fighting COVID.
– Mark Dawson collects Toys for Tots before leaving for the Marine Corps.
– Dicke family shares their story of why they decided to homeschool their two children during COVID.
– Dollars for Scholars holds first Giving Tuesday campaign.
– First annual 4-H Festival of Trees held at Heartland Museum.
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