Archives April 2025

by I. B. Lyon

Turkey season is coming to a close soon. It has been a good season in The Valley. The turkey population seems to be healthy and doing well, and many Valleyans have harvested nice birds. However, turkey hunters trespassing onto landowner’s property continues to be an issue in The Valley and across the state. Many people have forgotten about the Turkey Trespassing Task Force (TTTF) that was formed last year until now.

I was able to catch up with the Director of the TTTF, Tirk Longbeard. He said, “We’d been getting reports from landowners in the Strong River Bend (SRB) area about turkey hunters trespassing on a few landowners’ property. Recently, a couple landowners told us that it was happening on a daily basis, and they were fed up with it. So, we decided to setup a sting operation to catch the perps.”

Longbeard and his crew setup multiple agents on two different properties. The agents camped overnight to be ready for the hunters the next morning. Both properties did indeed have trespassers. Longbeard said, “We let the hunters get deep into the woods past their entry point, because we didn’t want them to have an easy escape. We had agents at multiple suspected hunting spots to keep eyes on the hunters, and our strategy paid off.”

The first hunter was arrested as he was walking back out of the woods after an unsuccessful hunt. Two agents were waiting for him, and they arrested him without incident. The second hunter was arrested after killing a turkey. Longbeard said, “Our agents had actually lost eye contact with this hunter, but they were able to easily find him after he fired his gun to shoot a nice gobbler.”

I was able to get to talk with Tom Yelper, the hunter that was arrested after a successful hunt. Yelper said, “Yep, they got me. I’ve been going on that property for years without permission, and it finally caught up with me. It really sucks that they took my bird though. That was the best turkey I’ve ever killed. I didn’t even get a picture with him. I’m just glad I won’t have to spend time in jail.”

Both hunters will avoid jail time, but both will have to pay a $5,000 fine. And, their picture will be on a billboard to warn other hunters about trespassing. Longbeard said, “We haven’t made any waves this year until now. This sting will hopefully remind hunters that we’re still here and we mean business. It’s pretty simple. Don’t trespass, and you won’t have anything to worry about.”

by Heeza de Seaver

The Annual Valley City Easter Egg Hunt is a big draw each year. In addition to the egg hunt, they have a petting zoo, face painting, and more. It normally draws close to 100 kids from around The Valley, and this year was no different. They have 3 age divisions: 1-3, 4-7, and 8-10. Everyone was having a good time, and things were going well until the age 8-10 division kicked off.

Karen Moochar brought her 3 kids to the event, and her two sons participated in the 8-10 age division. Evidently, her sons took the hunt very seriously. One mom said, “Karen’s sons were super aggressive from the word go. Her oldest son knocked my little 8 year old girl down when they were both going for an egg. I didn’t say anything, but I can promise you I wanted to. It just kept getting worse, and I called my daughter over and we left. I didn’t want her getting hurt over a dumb Easter egg hunt.”

Another mom said, “You know Karen never pays for anything. I guess she didn’t want to have to buy her kids Easter candy. She must’ve told them that if they wanted candy it was up to them to get it. They were running around like feral kids getting as many eggs as possible, and they were being super rough. It was just too much. I’m glad my kids weren’t in that age division.”

Parents were tolerating the Moochar boys until they started stealing eggs that had already been collected by other kids. Jane Mamabehr watched the Moochar boys, and she lost it when the oldest stole a few of her daughter’s eggs. According to multiple witnesses, Mamabehr marched over and grabbed the oldest Moochar boy by the shirt, and she demanded that he give the eggs back to her daughter. One witness said, “Jane told the boy to give the eggs back, and he told her no. That didn’t sit too well with Jane. She’d had enough, and it was on like Donkey Kong!”

Moochar saw what happened, but she didn’t do anything about it. Mamabehr walked over to Moochar, and she demanded that her son give the eggs back to her daughter. Another witness said, “Things escalated pretty quickly. Within seconds, they were nose to nose, and they were yelling at each other. Jane then pushed Karen, and Karen pushed her back. Then, the fit hit the shan, and they were both rolling around on the ground. I loved every second of it to be honest. I hate I didn’t video it.”

The police were called, and the scuffle had stopped by the time they arrived. Both women were pointed out by witnesses, and the officer gathered the two ladies together. I was able to get a statement from the police department. A spokesperson said, “No charges were filed. It’s unfortunate two grown adults were involved in altercation like this at a community event. The two ladies involved reconciled their differences, and they hugged it out. They also apologized to each other and many of the people at the event.”

It’s always great when the community comes together for an event, but it’s unfortunate that only a couple people can ruin it for everyone. This Easter egg hunt will definitely be remembered. It was great that the ladies worked things out. The event organizers said security will be at the event each year going forward.

by Ben BeEssen

Municipal primary elections were held on April 1st. The elections in Valley County and Strong River Bend (SRB) were rather uneventful. The elections in SRB went as planned. All the incumbents won, and there was no drama. That has since changed. The Alderman at Large Democratic primary election is now being challenged.

Bennie Schiff has been the Alderman at Large for 3 terms now. His constituents love him, and he won his latest primary by a wide margin (98-3). However, his primary challenger, Hillary Harris, is challenging his election. Her claim is that Schiff doesn’t actually live in the SRB city limits the majority of the time.

Harris said, “We all know that Mr. Schiff’s house is right on the city limits line. This was hashed out when he was initially elected. However, I’ve discovered that he actually spends the majority of his time in his shop or “man cave” which is not inside the city limits. I have multiple female sources that have intimate knowledge of this, so I feel I have a legitimate basis to challenge this election.”

I was able to reach Schiff for comment. He said, “This is so ridiculous. Harris is just a sore loser. 98-3. Come on man! She looked at the scoreboard, and she couldn’t take it. Everyone tried to warn her that she didn’t have a chance. Yes, I spend a good bit of time in my man cave, but I sleep in my room in the house. Mrs. Schiff and I haven’t slept in the same room for years, because she can’t take my snoring. I don’t sleep in the man cave. This challenge is a bunch of bull, and it should be thrown out.”

The SRB City Council has called an emergency meeting this evening at 6:00 pm to settle the matter. The SRVO will be there, and we’ll let you know what happens. I was able to talk with some SRB residents about the challenge.

One resident said, “Hillary is just a sore loser, and she’s looking to get in on a technicality. I’d be interested to know who the 3 people are that voted for her. I bet she paid them off. This is just ridiculous, and it gives our wonderful little town a black eye.”

Another resident said, “Look, Bennie ain’t lilly white. He’s pretty crooked, but he’s helped me out a few times. This Harris lady is just crazy. Go home woman! You got destroyed. 98-3!”

The SRVO will keep you updated on this story, so stay tuned.

by Ima Phibber

We broke the story last week that a roundabout will be installed at the downtown Valley City 4-way stop. That set off a firestorm in Valley City. Many residents are in favor of the roundabout, and a lot of residents are not. But, the discussion about what will go at the center of the roundabout is the major item of contention.

So, the SRVO wants to get the opinion of Valley City and Valley residents. We’ve created a poll. We want you to vote! This will hopefully settle the debate and give the Valley City administration guidance as to what to install at the center of the roundabout. VOTE BELOW!

The poll will be up for a couple weeks, and we’ll publish the results.

by Ima Phibber

The downtown Valley City 4-way stop can get pretty busy in the mornings and afternoons. There have been a couple fender benders there in the past month, and Valley City residents have been calling for something to be done. After doing a brief traffic study and cost analysis, Valley City has decided to add a roundabout at the current 4-way stop.

Valley City Mayor Ronald Bush said, “We brought in the Strong River Valley Transit Authority (SRVTA) to advise us on this, and they were big proponents of a roundabout. The board and I were skeptical about it, but they reassured us that it was the best option. We only had two other options- a stop light or a police officer directing traffic. I think we’re going to have some difficulties convincing Valley City residents though. I’m planning to run for mayor again, and I really hope this roundabout doesn’t hurt my reelection chances.”

I was able to talk with some Valley City residents about the new roundabout, and I got mixed reviews about it. One resident said, “Look, something needs to be done for sure. I grit my teeth and pray every time I come to that 4-way. It’s every man for himself. Some people don’t stop at all; some stop, but they don’t obey basic 4-way stop etiquette. It’s a mess, but a roundabout? Really? We’re not freakin Europe. If these people can’t navigate a 4-way stop, there’s no hope for a roundabout. It’s gonna be a disaster!”

Another resident said, “I’m glad we’re installing a roundabout there. I grew up in England, and they are everywhere there. It allows the traffic to keep moving and flowing, and there will be less accidents. I know Valleyans will probably be skeptical, but trust an old Brit, it’ll be better and safer in the long run.”

We’ll see how Valley City residents adjust to the roundabout. Construction on the project will start next week, and it’s projected to take 2 weeks to complete. A police officer will be there in the mornings and afternoons to direct traffic during construction.

The roundabout is a controversial issue, but there is another issue brewing after completion of the roundabout. What is going to be put at the center of the roundabout? Many Valley City residents are calling for a statue, some want a fountain, and there are a couple other ideas also. The SRVO will keep you updated on the roundabout, and what gets installed in the center of it as well.