DES MOINES — The Iowa DNR is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.

“We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

Meeting dates, times and locations

• Glenwood, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Southwest Iowa Sportman’s Club, 22869 Jamett Road
• Waverly, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue
• Bloomfield, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255^th Street
• Burlington, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Park Road
• Chariton, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
• Charles City, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., The Pub on the Cedar, 101 North Jackson Street
• Decorah, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Des Moines, Feb. 18, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Hinton, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60
• Spencer, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1, Entrance #1-West side of the North Mall
• Ventura, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.
• Algona, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Hwy 169 North. Attendees should enter through the southwest door.
• Iowa City, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
• Maquoketa, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street
• Perry, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Avenue
• Toledo, Feb 19, 6 p.m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road
• Creston, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multi-purpose room (124), 1201 West Townline Street
• Lake View, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Okoboji, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road

Any person attending the public meeting who has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Oskaloosa Middle School will welcome Clint Gingerich as its new principal for the 2025-26 school year, pending School Board approval.

Gingerich brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering student growth and achievement. His demonstrated leadership reflects a strong alignment with the Oskaloosa School vision culture, building a learning community that is for all students and staff.

Gingerich, who is currently the associate principal at OMS, has been with the district since 2012 and in a leadership role since fall 2019. While he is already highly involved with students and staff in his current role, he will officially begin his tenure as principal on July 1, 2025. One of his initial priorities will be guiding the search for a new associate principal, set to begin later this week.

Gingerich began his teaching career in 2011 in Underwood Community Schools, where he taught high school business and coached baseball. Over the years, he has served as an instructional coach, middle school athletic director, and head baseball coach in Oskaloosa. After briefly serving as the principal in Pekin Schools, Gingerich returned to Oskaloosa in 2019 to serve as assistant principal alongside current Principal Mark Scholes, who passed away last year.

“Our hearts are still healing from the tragic loss of Mark Scholes,” Gingerich shared. “Mark’s leadership, vision, and impact are woven into the very fabric of our school, and I am honored to continue building on the foundation he created. I am incredibly proud of how our middle school team has come together during this difficult time, demonstrating resilience and commitment to our students. It’s a privilege to lead this remarkable team as we move forward together.”

Gingerich credits the OMS leadership team, staff, and Linda Brock (who served as interim principal) for their unwavering support and dedication.

“Linda and our staff have been instrumental in ensuring our school remains a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment during a challenging time. Their efforts deserve tremendous recognition, and I am grateful for their trust and collaboration,” Gingerich said.

Looking ahead, Gingerich aims to continue fostering a culture of healing, unity, and engaged learning at OMS.

“We want to ensure our staff remains a united team that provides exceptional learning opportunities for all students,” he said. “It’s about working together to keep students at the center of everything we do.”

Superintendent Mike Fisher expressed confidence in Gingerich’s ability to lead Oskaloosa Middle School. “Clint brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our students, staff, and community,” Fisher said. “His leadership is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a vision for academics, and he is all in on our school’s vision culture.”

Gingerich graduated high school from the Iowa Mennonite School, now known as Hillcrest Academy. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College and later completed his master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa. He and his wife, Hillary, have lived in Oskaloosa since 2012.

Hillary works at Oskaloosa Elementary School, and their two children, Jaysik, a first grader at Osky Elementary, and Tierzah, a preschool student at Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center, are students in the district.

“This is home for us,” Gingerich said. “We are grateful for the acceptance and support of the Oskaloosa community, our church family at Central Church, and the outstanding tradition of Oskaloosa Schools.”

DES MOINES — An extreme cold warning is in effect for our area this morning.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for portions of central, north central, northeast, northwest, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Iowa. It is in effect until 12pm today. Dangerously cold wind chills of 30 below to 38 below zero are expected.

The NWS says that the dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Those planning on being outside should dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves.