Features

Going Above and Beyond

INSPIRING LEADERS Pastor Adam Van Der Stoep from Hull First Reformed Church leads a short devotional before the Hull outstanding citizen and scholarship award luncheon Feb. 10. His concluding remarks urged guests to be good leaders for the city of Hull. (Photo/Amy...

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Staying safe and warm in extreme cold weather 

One of the coldest days this winter season was Feb. 13 when it was -8 degrees. Sunni Battin | Editor When the temperature dips into single digits and even drops below zero, it’s important to stay warm and safe. One way to do that is to monitor weather conditions and...

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Blood donations and blood drive partners needed

Sunni Battin | Editor Cancer patients, victims of vehicle and farming accidents, and those getting surgery are often the recipients of another’s blood donation. “There is no substitute for human blood products,” said Allison Brumels, territory representative for...

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A love that endures

MARRIED FOR 63 YEARS Gradus Kuipers and Caroline Vander Streek were married June 5, 1961. The best friends live at Aspen Heights in Hull, have two daughters, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. (Photo/Amy Lyon) IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY Pictured are Gradus and...

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Break up the winter blues

Car show coming to Boyden Amy Lyon | Staff Writer Car enthusiasts, come one, come all to the Frostbite Auto Fest Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Demco Heritage Center in Boyden. Organized by the Moonlite Crewzers Car Club, this indoor car show is free to...

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‘Hope to the hopeless’

BREAKFAST IS SERVED A student smiles as he receives breakfast at the Instituto Harvest Hands, a primary Christian school in Juárez, Mexico. The school has 126 students enrolled from grades 1-6 and is supported by Harvest Hands Ministries. (Photo/Submitted) MISSION...

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For the love of dogs

HELPING DOGS FEEL AND LOOK THEIR BEST Jenna Mantel of Canine Creations in Doon finishes grooming a Cavapoo named Peanut. Mantel’s love of dogs led to her opening her dog-grooming business in April 2024. She offers many grooming options, including baths, toenail trims,...

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New development project gets underway 

Sunni Battin | Editor Due to increasing population in Hull the last few years, a new housing project called Elm Street Development is in the works and is set to be completed in late summer. “It will be 25 buildable lots with two of those reserved for multi-family....

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‘Kind of wild this season’

Staff from Community Health Partners of Sioux County at a health fair booth. (Photo/Submitted) Increases in respiratory viruses throughout area  Sunni Battin | Editor Medical professionals are noticing an uptick in respiratory illnesses this winter, especially with...

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‘Stronger than you think you are’

VICTORY OVER CANCER Mady Hansmann holds a sign from when she was officially declared in remission in 2014. She was diagnosed with a rare cancer in March 2013 and spent almost two years going through chemotherapy until finally a triple stem cell transplant helped her...

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Hog building consumed by fire

Sunni Battin | Editor A hog building near Hull on U.S. Highway 75 was demolished in an evening fire Jan. 17. “When we got there, half of the building was fully engulfed,” said Hull Fire Chief, Greg Van Roekel. There were no reported injuries or lives taken, according...

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New Year, New Location, New Look

FITNESS CLASSES LEADERS Shanae Vander Waal, left, holds her 9-month-old daughter Stevie while Allie Van Kley takes her turn to speak at the Ignite Gym & Fitness ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 13. Previously The Gainz Club, the rebranded Ignite Gym & Fitness...

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The Sports Shed

THE SPORTS SHED Pictured is The Sports Shed, a new indoor turf facility just outside of Hull. On Jan. 2 owner Kait Van Der Zwaag opened the space to offer open turf times for all sports as well as private lessons for softball. (Photo/Amy Lyon) (Photo/Submitted)...

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Transforming adversity into strength

Michelle Cowan(Photo/Submitted) Author visits library, shares personal story Sunni Battin | Editor Turning her real-life tragic tale into a story that reaches even one person was the essence of author Michelle Cowan’s visit to Hull Public Library Jan. 21.“I want to...

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Building Relationships is Ultimate Reward

Hull Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jess Wheeler. Sunni Battin | Editor Hull Chamber of Commerce executive director, Jess Wheeler, says the most rewarding aspect of her position is forming and maintaining connections.  “Every day I get to talk to a new person...

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City to replace hundreds of resident water meters 

City switches out old water meters, left, with new ones,right, that are more efficient. (Photos/Julie Bosma) Sunni Battin | Editor The reasons behind replacement of water meters for an estimated 800 Hull households is for safety, efficiency, accuracy and to streamline...

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Hull Library Art Club wins first place

The Hull Library Art Club won first place for its decorated Christmas tree at Oak Grove. (Photo/Submitted) Julie Bosma | Editorial Assistant The Hull Library Art Club won first place at the Oak Grove Nature Center for its decorated Christmas tree. The requirement this...

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‘It’s like coming home’

Brian Schafer became pastor at United Presbyterian Church in Boyden Nov. 1, 2024. He will be installed Jan. 12. (Photo/Julie Bosma) Julie Bosma | Editorial Assistant Pastor Brian Schafer said that becoming the pastor of United Presbyterian Church in Boyden Nov. 1 is...

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First Steps Academy welcomes new director amid renovations

NEW DIRECTOR Shelby Kooima is the new director of First Steps Academy in Boyden. She began in November and looks forward to using her knowledge and experience from her past jobs and current classes as she plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree of science in...

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