From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Aquatic invasive species, everything from zebra mussels to Eurasian watermilfoil, move from one waterbody to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They often grow quickly and spread fast when brought to another lake or stream due to lack of natural controls.

“Boaters and anglers can help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species to new water bodies by checking their boat and equipment for unwanted hitchhikers after each time on the water,” Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species program coordinator for the Iowa DNR, said.

Aquatic invasive species can create serious problems for Iowa waters by reducing native species and making lakes and rivers unusable for boaters, anglers and swimmers.

Clean, Drain, Dry is a simple three step process that boaters need to follow every time they move from one body of water to another.

• CLEAN any plants, animals, or mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment before you leave a waterbody.
• DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a waterbody and leave drain plugs out during transport.
• DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either: Spray your boat and trailer with hot or high-pressure water; or Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days.

Never release plants, fish, or animals into a waterbody unless they came out of that waterbody and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

These steps are not only recommendations; they are the law. It is illegal to possess or transport prohibited aquatic invasive species, transport any aquatic plants on water-related equipment, and transport boats with drain plugs intact in Iowa. It is also illegal to introduce any live fish, except for hooked bait, into public waters.

Find more information about aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters in the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or at www.iowadnr.gov/ais.

Special to the Times Vedette

On May 14, a total of 10 players participated. Lela Schwartz and Dan Webb each had a 16, and Robert Klever got an 18.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

Special to the Times Vedette

Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the Dean’s List, including Quinn Grubbs, who is currently among this elite group. Grubbs, of Casey, has been named to the prestigious Spring 2025 Dean’s List at Coe in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The college recognized only 122 students for the Spring 2025 Term. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average for the term and rank in the top 10% of the student body.

Special to the Times Vedette

Kylie Young, from Guthrie Center, was one of 249 Central College students who were celebrated during Commencement 2025 on Saturday, May 10, in the Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium in Pella. Young earned a bachelor’s degree cum laude majoring in sociology.