News briefs

Lake Iowa fishing derby set for Jan. 31

IOWA COUNTY — The ninth annual Lake Iowa Fishing Derby will be held Jan. 31, with a backup date of Feb. 14, according to Iowa County Conservation and Pheasants Forever.

Registration runs from 5 a.m. to 5:45 a.m. at the Nature Center. The derby will take place from 6-11 a.m.

The entry fee is $20 per person for individuals or two-person teams. Children 16 and younger fish free.

Cash prizes will be awarded in several categories, including biggest length for bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, perch and walleye. A top 10 panfish stringer competition for two-person teams will award prizes for bluegill, redear, crappie and perch.

Prizes and raffles will follow the derby at the Nature Center.

An ice fishing clinic will be held from 7-8 a.m. at an official tent in the middle of the lake, covering basics of safety, electronics, baits and plastics and fishing techniques.

For more information, contact pdejarnatt@iowacounty.iowa.gov or call Phil at 319-540-9932.

Lopatto makes dean's list at Monmouth

MONMOUTH, Ill.-- William Lopatto, of Grinnell, made the dean's list at Monmouth College for the fall 2025 semester.

To make the list, students needed a minimum 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 3.0 academic credits for letter grade.

Students graduate from Iowa State

AMES — Iowa State University awarded degrees to 1,751 graduates in December.

Mia L. Brecht, of Belle Plaine, received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business.

Tyler Schaefer, of North English, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in software engineering. He graduated magna cum laude.

Isabel Elizabeth Coffman, of South English, received a Master of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering.

Lacey Sexton Stutzman, of Wellman, received a Master of Real Estate Development degree.

Carlee B Cremeens, of Williamsburg, received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business.

Katy Marie Rotter, of Williamsburg, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology.

Applications open for more than $700,000 in scholarships

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa announced the opening of its 2026 scholarship application process, offering students the opportunity to receive a share of more than $700,000 in scholarships.

The deadline to apply is 8 p.m. March 11.

The CFNEIA scholarship program supports high school, college and adult students pursuing higher education. In 2025, CFNEIA awarded 243 scholarships, averaging over $3,000 per recipient. Scholarship notifications for 2025 will be sent in June, with selections finalized in May.

Students interested in applying should visit cfneia.org/scholarships to view the eligibility checklist and access the application. The common application requires basic personal and academic information; a transcript of academic records; a summary of extracurricular activities; an essay and a letter of recommendation

Some scholarships may require additional materials, which will be outlined in the application. All required materials must be submitted through CFNEIA’s online system by the March 11 deadline.

CFNEIA scholarships cater to a variety of students, with awards based on factors such as financial need, academic performance, field of study, and community involvement.

UW-Stevens Point honors Brooklyn student

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,872 undergraduate students for attaining high grade-point averages during the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Jack Stephens, of Brooklyn, received highest honors, as a full-time student with a grade-point average between 3.9 and 4.0.

Area students named to Wartburg dean’s list

WAVERLY — Carter Lavender, of Gilman, was one of 570 students named to the Wartburg College fall dean’s list.

Also on the list were Keegan Burdick, Gage Heyne and Gwene Mews, of North English; Cooper Daugherty, of Conroy; Alison Newton, of Blairstown; Ema Roberts, of Ladora; and Grace Gauley-Schultz, Wes Hulseberg, Landon Jepson, Rylie Metz and Carly Rich, of Williamsburg.

The students have earned grade-point averages of 3.5 and higher in at least four course credits during the term.

Ainsworth student graduates from Buena Vista

STORM LAKE — Andrea Byerly, of Ainsworth, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in educational studies from Buena Vista University.

Byerly was among more than 140 students who received degrees in the fall of 2025.

Loras College recognizes academic achievement

DUBUQUE — The following Loras College students were recognized for academic achievement at Loras College during the recent semester: Lucas J. Eichhorn, Brooklyn; Isabel R. Hart, Grinnell; William R. Lipsius, Kalona; Natalie L. Bemer and Kylie L. Loffer, Marengo; and Kyrah A. Sissel, of Williamsburg.

To be eligible, a student must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.50 for the term and be a full-time student taking at least 12 graded credits