January
Dean Kluss took over the Wright County Supervisors Chairman position from Rick Rasmussen.
CGD announced their plan to use “E-Learning Days” to keep students learning on snow days.
Wright County was recognized by the National Weather Service as StormReady. This distinction involves requirements such as establishing weather warning procedures.
Wright County Supervisor Karl Helgevold traveled to Washington D.C. to be a guest at the White House signing of the U.S. China Phase 1 Trade Agreement.
The Wright County Charitable Foundation held their spring granting ceremony. The organization awarded $52,107 to 24 county-wide projects.
Dr. Jill Biden visited Eagle Grove to visit with voters, promoting her husband Joe’s presidential run.
February
Erin Heldenbrand and Noah Roosa were crowned King and Queen of the CGD Winter Festival.
Caucuses across Iowa were held. Similar to what happened throughout the nation, Wright County Democratic officials struggled to report results due to the online system. When the dust settled, Pete Buttigieg came out on top in the county with 35.5% or 213 people caucusing for him.
The CGD Cowboys wrestling team took second at the NCC tournament.
Clint Middleton was recognized for 17 years of service to the CGD Community School District for having served on the Board of Education.
The Cowboys wrestling team returned to the 1A State Dual Tourney in the 7th seed position. They finished in 7th place. Three wrestlers competed at state: Reed Abbas (finished 7th), Tyler Stein (finished 8th), and Garrett Seaba.
March
CGD Community School District named Joseph Nelson as their new superintendent. He would go on to start the position July 1 as Dr. Robert Olson retired.
The Clarion Fire Department responded various times to a bin fire at the feed mill located on Hwy 69 owned by Gold-Eagle Cooperative. They had to put water on the fire several times over a few weeks.
In early March, the Wright County Public Health Department issued a press release saying they were preparing for coronavirus though no one in Iowa had tested positive for it at that point.
State Representative Terry Baxter (Dist. 8) and Senator Dennis Guth (Dist. 4) held their annual area townhall meetings.
The Clarion Chamber held a Country Hoedown for a fundraiser. The event was held at the Red Shed Event Center and was complete with a line dance instructor.
On March 16, Wright County declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19
The Clarion Locker took home several awards from the Iowa Meat Processors Association Convention.
CGD school announced they would follow the governor’s recommendation and close for at least four weeks due to COVID concerns.
Joan Voigts was named the Clarion chapter of the American Association of University Women’s 2020 Woman of the Year.
Wright County confirmed its first COVID positive case on March 26.
Several businesses closed due to COVID and state mandates. The Clarion Chamber responded with a gift card selling initiative called “Give the Gift of Clarion” that raised thousands of dollars for businesses in the next months.
April
Carol Brott, Clarion, celebrated the 10-year anniversary of receiving a heart transplant.
A huge mask-making initiative in the area gained steam as individuals and groups worked to make PPE for healthcare workers and others amongst shortages.
The City of Clarion issued an emergency proclamation in response to COVID-19.
The CGD teachers and staff held a parade, driving through Clarion, Goldfield and Dows, to wave at their students.
The Clarion Fire Department fed over 100 truckers during their drive-thru meal. The event was to show appreciation to an industry overwhelmingly impacted by COVID and the resulting closings and demand.
As the governor ordered schools to shut down for the remainder of the year, CGD opted for “Voluntary Educational Enrichment Opportunities” where learning was offered via Zoom and packets, but not graded.
Several Wright County businesses benefited from grants offered through the Iowa Small Business Relief Program.
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and The Iowa High School Athletic Association jointly decided to cancel spring sports activities.
As they saw increased food demand, First Lutheran Food Pantry held a series of donation collection events, receiving hundreds of pounds of food and thousands of dollars.
Wright County Public Health conducted wide-spread coronavirus testing at Prestage Foods in Eagle Grove, detecting a relatively small number of positives which bucked a nationwide trend in food processing plants.
May
The Iowa’s Ride bike ride was cancelled. Clarion was planned to be an overnight stop for the ride that was scheduled for its inaugural journey in July.
The CGD district worked to adapt to online voluntary learning. Tools like iPads and even Wi-fi hotspots were distributed to make this possible.
Two new police officers came aboard in Clarion: Jeremy Stenda and Chris Jones.
Wright County’s COVID numbers rose to over 100 cases.
CGD seniors drove by the high school on May 17, the day that would have been their graduation day. They picked up their caps and gowns without leaving their vehicles and were greeted by a line up of many faculty members.
In lieu of regular Memorial Day ceremonies, various veterans organizations in Wright County worked to hold virtual events.
The CGD Board of Education named Paul Hansch to the position of interim-assistant high school principal.
Several Clarion residents voiced displeasure with Gold-Eagle Co-op’s plan to store empty railcars on the north end of town.
Iowa Specialty Hospital received $4.45 million from the Paycheck Protection Program, part of the CARES Act.
The Wright County Fair Board announced that many things at the fair, including grandstand events, the carnival and open class exhibits would be canceled.
June
Iowa High School summer sports were allowed to start. Both Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove elected not to play summer sports. The CGD Board of Education voted for the district to play.
The county saw record turnout in the primary election, mostly due to the number of mail-in ballots. Incumbents for county supervisor Karl Helgevold and Rick Rasmussen defeated primary challengers Jason Wessels and Mike Boyd, but the latter two earned enough write-in votes to run as Democrats in the general election.
Local activists held a peaceful demonstration at Gazebo Park to raise racial awareness.
The CGD School Board voted to not allow athletes from other schools to play on their sports team for baseball and softball.
Ennis Transportation Services bought a lot at the Wright County Agribusiness Park for a trailer washout and repair facility.
Dr. Robert Olson retired after 36 years with the CGD District, most of those spent as superintendent. He was formerly the longest serving superintendent in the state.
The CGD District finally held a formal in-person commencement ceremony. The event was meticulously planned and held at the football stadium.
July
The Clarion Library and others in the area adapted their summer programming to allow kids to participate in fun activities from home.
COVID didn’t put a damper on the Fourth of July celebration at Lake Cornelia. Events like the boat parade and fireworks were still a hit.
The CGD School District announced that school would start August 24 and PPE would be required for teachers, staff and students.
Governor Kim Reynolds and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley both made stops in Clarion.
The Wright County Fair was held in a scaled back form. Participants still were able to show animals and exhibits, but besides family members, most spectators weren’t allowed.
The Brushy Creek Honor Flight cancelled their 2020 trip to Washington D.C. for veterans.
August
The Swanson family of Galt received the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, presented by Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig.
The Wright County Charitable Foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary supporting local worthy causes.
The Cornerstone Apartments in Clarion, formerly the Moore Hotel, wrapped up various improvements. Owners Karl and Jodie Helgevold completed many renovations to the apartment units and added new awnings outside the building.
Phoebe Sanders received Grand Champion for her FFA Market Lamb at the special state competition (held in lieu of the Iowa State Fair).
Wright County Extension and Outreach welcomed two new employees, Emily Zahurones, county youth coordinator, and Missy Loux, program coordinator.
Wright County’s number of COVID cases hit the 500 mark in late August.
School at CGD started with students and staff wearing masks or face shields.
On Monday, August 31, Big Bud rolled out of Clarion on the back of a semi. The Heartland Museum had been home to the giant tractor for the last eight years.
The Wright County Board of Health voted to decertify the home nursing care side of Public Health.
Several linemen from Prairie Energy Co-op traveled to the derecho-damaged areas of the state to help restore power.
September
CGD informed parents about the first COVID case in the district during the first week of September.
Dozens of people joined the county Board of Health and Supervisors meetings to voice their disappointment with the county decertifying home nursing care.
The City of Clarion started a reverse osmosis water pilot project as a test for a future water treatment facility.
Rhonda and David Stevenson were chosen as Region 2 winners for the Conservation Farmers of the Year award and were forwarded to the state competition.
Wright County Deputy Darren Robinson was run over in Eagle Grove when Sean McMillian drove away in Robinson’s squad vehicle after being placed under arrest.
Dr. Jon Ahrendsen of Clarion completed a 1,000+ mile bike ride of every road in Wright County.
Eagle Grove School District shut down in-person classes for over a week amid rising COVID numbers.
CGD held their homecoming festivities with the theme “Time Flies at CGD.” Rafael Jimenez and Kendall Lienemann were crowned king and queen.
October
After 39 years in business, Larry Guth, owner of Mister G’s clothing store on Main Street in Clarion, retired.
Prior to the election, a forum for the WC supervisors candidates was held. Many people asked pointed and angry questions about decertifying county home care.
The school and community participated in the tenth year of the Healthiest State Walk.
WC received over $25,000 in grant funds to held with various aspects of the election.
The Kids Korner Daycare Board was granted a one-year extension from the school district for vacating their space in the elem. building. The daycare had asked for a three-year extension.
Dozens of friends and neighbors in the Dows area gathered to harvest Jerry Butt’s crops as he was suffering from a brain tumor.
The Cowgirls volleyball team defeated Humboldt to become the NCC Champion.
Early ballots began to pour into the county auditor’s office, breaking records long before election day.
Senior Isaiah Nebbe competed at the state cross country meet, becoming the first CGD boy to do so since 2011.
November
The Cowgirl Volleyball team headed to state for the third year in a row. They went on to lose in the semifinal match to Mount Vernon.
Belmond-Klemme Jr./Sr. High schools closed for over a week due to a COVID outbreak.
In a record turnout breaking general election, incumbent county supervisors Helgevold and Rasmussen narrowly defeated Wessels and Boyd. In all other races, the county voted Republican as well.
In an effort to mitigate increased COVID numbers in the county, the WC Board of Health approved various emergency measures including a mask requirement and gathering restrictions.
WC Supervisors voted to change mental health regions.
The Clarion Police Department received a grant for over $5,000 from the Gary Sinise Foundation. It was used for additional tech in police vehicles.
Wright County rose to over 1,000 COVID cases.
Clarion veterans organizations held a drive-up Veterans Day ceremony in the CGD High School parking lot. Attendees tuned into the event on their car radios.
Clarion’s community Thanksgiving meal fed around 225 people. The meal was served in drive-thru style.
Senior Morgan Middleton was named to the Des Moines Register’s 3A All-Iowa Team and also to the prestigious All-Iowa Elite Team.
December
CGD schools held their holiday concerts virtually. They were recorded or live-streamed.
The Wright County Conservation Board asked for the public’s help to solve a bald eagle shooting in the county.
Wright County received the Moderna COVID vaccine. Vaccination of priority people like healthcare workers began.
The Gift of Giving program facilitated the donations of over $5000 in monetary donations, in addition to toys, gifts and food to several hundreds in the area.
Wright County rose to over 1,500 COVID cases.
