Columns

Q: What’s at stake with proposed regulations that would reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2018 and 2019? A: Congress enacted the RFS and other policies to boost U.S. energy security and energy independence, strategic measures designed to drive innovation and growth of renewable fuels. ...

When a furry, four-legged family member goes missing, we’re often willing to do almost anything to get our beloved pet back. While owners of missing pets have long posted “missing pet” flyers around the neighborhood, social media and the internet have expanded the options for trying to locate missing pets. ...

It has been a couple of weeks since the public meeting concerning curlyleaf pondweed was held at the Sami Bedell Center on the Spirit Lake High School campus. Last week’s Dickinson County News included a long, fact-filled article about the problem and potential options...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a great time to refresh your knowledge of the disease. As more research is done and advancements are made, it can be difficult to determine the latest and most trusted information on breast cancer. Take the time to learn some common myths and facts about the disease and share them with your mothers, daughters, friends and other women in your life...

Imagine, if you will, the following letter were to arrive in your mailbox. It becomes more clear that the situation is not beneficial for the customer or the congressmen, when cast in this new light. Dear valued customer: We at Graham-Cassidy Ford, Lincoln, Mercury aim to provide what we promise. ...

We have been desensitized. Yes, that’s right, desensitized in a number of ways. On Sept. 16, 2017, there were three terrorist actions, but we only heard about one because of the casualties it caused. The other two cases were lost to the clutter of media. These activities are happening more and more, and we are closing our mind to them. We have accepted terrorism as a daily occurrence. ...

Let’s test out a pair of statements that seem reasonable: • It’s hard to be a credible voice for national unity if you support the presence of Confederate statues in public places. • It’s hard to promote unity if you use our national anthem as a means of protest...

While the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast are winding down, my hackles are raising over a few comments made by the boisterous radio personality Rush Limbaugh (don’t take that to be an effort by your local media to boost sales in the dog breeding business). ...

We hope you don't mind, but we'd like to reverse trends a bit and bring a little of the social media dialogue we see on Facebook back to the old-fashioned, black-and-white newspaper opinion page. Some comments we’ve seen recently raise a couple of issues that deserve some clarification...

There is a very important election coming up here in Dickinson County on Sept. 12. Who is most affected by the outcome? The school board election has a primary effect on all the young people in our county. It is also majorly impacting all property owners in this county through their taxes...

When the fiscal year ended on June 30, Iowans consuming information through the media and/or internet assumed the media’s report on state revenue was the final number for the state budget. The reality is the accounting books on Fiscal Year 2017 do not close for several months and a surprising amount of money continues to flow in and out of the FY 2017 budget after July 1. The lack of call from the governor for a special session is a good sign for Iowans...

Q: What’s on the minds of Iowans as you visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties this year? A: Last year during the August recess, I got a lot of feedback from Iowans about government overreach, specifically regarding an Obama administration rule known as Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had issued a rule that effectively would regulate 97 percent of the property in Iowa under the Clean Water Act...

It is hard to believe, but we are part of the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Would you believe that the Mississippi River and its tributaries drain 41 percent of the United States and carry nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from lawns, storm drains, water treatment plants, farmland and other sources right down to the Gulf?...

I am sure many of you, along with myself, have been watching the news and have been appalled at the racism, hate and evil that some people in our country perpetuate. I, for one, believe that our maker made each of us with unique abilities and talents. I also believe that our maker endowed us with certain unalienable rights and those rights make us equal...

The little box labeled August 21 on the calendar at my desk has had a note on it for months now. That was the date of the total solar eclipse. I’ve been pretty jazzed about the day for awhile. Eclipses are just one of those rare events that holds our attention, inspires a sense of awe and reminds us our lives are as brief as a tick or a tock on the giant clock of creation...

This month we are focusing on recreational trail and bicycle safety in addition to being kind to our fellow trail users. --- While ATVs are allowed on most streets throughout the Iowa Great Lakes they are not allowed on Dickinson County Trails. The trails board has a motorized vehicle policy that allows the use of small vehicles for those who need assistance. ...

It was a good night, actually a very good night at the Pearson Lakes Art Center on Aug. 18. Dave Rowley and Friends performed their annual show to a full house in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre. As you take your seat you see cheesy palm trees made of foil hanging down and comical hula dancers adorning the Yamaha Clavinova (keyboard). That is the first clue that this evening of entertainment will be at times very humorous...

The corn is well past knee-high but it isn’t quite time to reap what’s been sown. Fortunately, I’m not talking about the corn. I’m actually talking about my hair. It’s under new ownership. The photo accompanying this column is no longer accurate and I may even be able to blend into a crowd once in awhile...

Q: What’s the update regarding China’s ban on American beef? A: The door to the world’s most-populated country and second-largest economy re-opened this summer to U.S. beef exports, ending a 14-year ban. That’s good news for America’s cattle producers (and the farmers who grow their feed grain) who have been shut out of China’s $11 trillion economy, representing nearly 15 percent of the world economy. ...

Imagine a well-paying, easy job with flexible hours that you can do from the comfort of your home. As amazing as that may seem, you might also wonder if an offer like that is too good to be true. Well, as the old adage says, it probably is. Work-from-home scams target those looking to make easy money from home. They advertise get-rich-quick opportunities through tasks as simple as stuffing envelopes...

If you’re like me, the President’s announcement regarding a ban on transgender individuals serving in any military capacity — and I’ll stress any capacity — seems a bit out of left field. If you had your ear to the ground, you probably heard the rumblings coming down the track when the Joint Chiefs of Staff requested a plan to allow transgendered servicemen be delayed for further study. ...

$5,000 JULY NONPROFIT CHALLENGE The Okoboji Foundation is inviting everyone to participate in the $5,000 July Nonprofit Challenge at GiveOkoboji.com. The fund with the highest giving total over $5,000 in July receives an additional $5,000 from the Okoboji Foundation. ...

Q: What’s the update regarding China’s ban on American beef? A: The door to the world’s most-populated country and second-largest economy re-opened this summer to U.S. beef exports, ending a 14-year ban. That’s good news for America’s cattle producers (and the farmers who grow their feed grain) who have been shut out of China’s $11 trillion economy, representing nearly 15 percent of the world economy. ...

I would be willing to bet not many of us would think of cutting back on our grocery budget or medical care to pay for a new door lock — or a multi-million dollar fence for that matter. Well, Iowa’s own Rep. Steve King is proposing something along those lines. ...

Remember the $5,000 July nonprofit challenge The Okoboji Foundation is inviting everyone to participate in the $5,000 July Nonprofit Challenge at GiveOkoboji.com. The fund with the highest giving total over $5,000 in July receives an additional $5,000 from the Okoboji Foundation. ...

Summer is the time for major blockbuster movies, as we all know. Such blockbusters have been super-hero comic book movies since about 2002, when Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man breathed new life into the genre. This weekend, the latest portrayal of the web-slinger debuted in the U.S. ...

The recent passing of a friend and frequent customer has reminded me of how Iowa is often perceived by other parts of the country. Some think Iowans are unqualified to hold the first caucus. Some think our state is covered in hog confinements. Some think we wear overalls and speak with southern accents. Some even think we’re the potato state. We’ve heard them all...

Imagine a well-paying, easy job with flexible hours that you can do from the comfort of your home. As amazing as that may seem, you might also wonder if an offer like that is too good to be true. Well, as the old adage says, it probably is. Work-from-home scams target those looking to make easy money from home. They advertise get-rich-quick opportunities through tasks as simple as stuffing envelopes...

Q: Why are changes needed to fix the Affordable Care Act? A:  No piece of legislation is perfect, especially one that restructures one-sixth of the U.S. economy. The Affordable Care Act is a prime example. When President Obama signed this sweeping health care overhaul into law seven years ago, Americans were promised lower insurance bills, better coverage and more access to high quality health care...

THANK YOU to the following businesses for making SRP activities at the Milford Memorial Library possible: Casey’s General Store, Farmers Savings Bank, United Community Bank, Godfather’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, Sunset Travel Agency, Walmart, Dickinson County Farm Bureau, Milford Kiwanis, Land Mark Products, Perkins, Great Lakes Concrete, Polaris, Melander’s, L & D Upholstery Shop, Lakes News Shopper, Ranch Okoboji, Danbom Properties, Sunshine Foods, Pure Fishing, The Three Sons, Dannatt’s Rentals, Northwest Bank, Subway, Hawkeye Care Center, TruGreen ChemLawn, Turner Jenness Funeral Home, Bank Midwest, Dickinson County News, Erpelding, Voigt & Co., Little Hands Childcare, R & D Industries, Pizza Ranch, Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Boulder’s Inn & Suites, and HyVee of Spirit Lake. We appreciate your donations.. ...

  Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued the following statement regarding the creation a new, large print voter registration form to assist Iowans with low vision in registering to vote. The new form features 16-point font and will print on 14-inch, legal-size paper. The change was approved by the bipartisan Voter Registration Commission on June 21...

Our family was on the way home from a softball game recently when it happened. As I crested the hill an approaching truck was already a foot into our lane. Fortunately, I had time to react and avoid a sideswipe. As the driver passed by I could see his eyes were somewhere in his lap. I’m not sure that he ever saw us...

RAIL TRAIL RALLY DCTB’s 2017 fundraiser event is coming up this weekend on Saturday, June 24 at the Arnolds Park Pavilion. This year’s event will highlight the Rail Trail and kickoff the effort to raise local matching funds for its construction. Get your Steampunk gear on and come celebrate 37 miles of Rail Trail. ...

This isn’t going to be easy. It may even tread a few paces into the domain of the pastor’s column. I, like many, was shocked by the news of a lone gunman opening fire on the Republican baseball team this week. Let me be clear. This was a horrible thing for that man to do. You don’t just go around shooting people because you don’t like their political priorities. It was an ill-founded, ill-conceived and ill-fated attempt to resolve misplaced anger. Plain and simple...

With the transition of Kim Reynolds from lieutenant governor to governor, I have received many questions on the cost of the transition.  During session, we appropriated $150,000 for the transition. This money isn't just for a change in the signage around the office and letterhead, though. ...

Q: What is the Congressional Review Act? A: Signed into law by President Clinton more than two decades ago, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) is serving as a game changer to help restore proper checks and balances of government, specifically for Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority to write the laws. For decades, the legislative branch has given federal agencies broad latitude and leeway to administer public policy that has resulted in sweeping executive overreach...

SF 467 prohibits a person who committed certain crimes against another person from collecting on that person's life insurance policy.  This bill was brought to the legislature by the family of Brigett Wirtjes. Brigett's husband, Tyler Wirtjes, was found guilty of sexually assaulting her the night before her death in 2010. Subsequently, he went on to collect her life insurance proceeds. ...

Arriving at your dream summer vacation destination without a lodging reservation would be a real nightmare. Scammers make this nightmare a reality for vacation-goers who seek out travel sites to quickly, easily and cheaply book hotels and vacation rentals online...

In May I expressed concern about the state paying bills on time next spring. Today I reiterate that concern. With the news that May revenue has come in significantly less than expected, it is time to consider a cash-flow borrowing in 2018. This would ensure we make payments on time, including school aid and tax refunds. Iowans should not be concerned about the need to issue a cash-flow borrowing. It is the right thing to do when you have unpredictable cash-flows...

Hank Williams Jr. had a pretty good gig back in 2011. Come up with a few lines to "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night" for ESPN's primetime football game each week. Get paid. Stay relevant. Then the country musician went on "Fox & Friends" to suggest that a Republican speaker playing golf with a Democratic president would be like "Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu." Obama and Biden were "the enemy," he blurted in 2011...

One just can’t keep up these days. This is the third column I’ve drafted in as many days. Each day, another social issue overshadows my previous draft and I can’t help but at least get my thoughts out on paper. First, wind energy got overshadowed by the latest addition to the “Fearless Girl” scenario. Next, the “Fearless Girl” got overshadowed by Kathy Griffin’s stunt. Now, that subject’s been eclipsed by the withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. We’ll see if this one can make it to print...

On May 24, I had the pleasure to watch as our previous governor, Terry Branstad resign as our governor and be sworn in as the country's next Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China. That was historic in and of itself. Then I had the pleasure to witness our Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds be sworn in as the state's next governor. Again another historic event in that Kim Reynolds is our state’s first woman governor. ...

The city of Spirit Lake received grants through Black Hills Energy Power of Trees and Alliant Energy Branching Out programs through Trees Forever to plant trees along the section of trail connecting Peoria Avenue to 15th Street. Nearly 30 volunteers from Spirit Lake High School, Dickinson County Conservation, Black Hills Energy, Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, Diskinson County Trails Board and City of Spirit Lake worked together to plant 52 trees along the trail segment. ...

On May 24, Governor Branstad resigned and was sworn in as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China. He was sworn in by by Judge Steven Colloton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit...

From May 22 to June 4, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, as well as Iowa, will be stepping up seat belt enforcement. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the busy summer season with many more families on the roads. Iowa’s seat belt usage rate of 94 percent is one of the highest in the nation, but the remaining six percent of vehicle occupants account for approximately half of all traffic fatalities. Seat belts are the single most effective way to survive in a crash...

It’s graduation season, or rather it was graduation season. Cameras were flashing, or rather phones were flashing. Man, me and my big, old camera lens are starting to stick out more and more when I go out on assignment. At least I’m not using actual film...

Slate staff writer Isaac Chotiner tells us “we live in the world Roger Ailes broke.” The column was his keyboard dance on a 77-year-old man’s grave. And, to be fair, Chotiner was far from alone on Twitter as he waited in line to add fertilizer to the gravesite Thursday. That’s when Ailes, the creator and two-decade leader of Fox News Channel, died after falling at his home in Palm Beach, Florida...

With the close of the legislative session, many are tallying the statistics of this session.  In the 104 days of the legislative session, there were 174 bills enrolled. While this may seem like a lot and some are quick to assume it is because of the Republican trifecta, history tells us otherwise. ...

Actually I am an Iowan — born and raised. Don’t worry. You’ll see where I’m going. This past weekend, my wife and I traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to see a stage show at the Washington Pavillion. Now, I’m not embarrassed to tell you, I don’t like city traffic. I don’t like merging into tight spaces. I don’t like people exceeding the speed limit by 15 miles per hour. I don’t like a lot of things about it. Courtesy seems to go out the window once there are six lanes for some reason...

Governor Branstad was recently selected to serve as Ambassador to China and has received Senate confirmation on Tuesday, May 2. When President Trump nominated Governor Branstad for this honor late last year, questions began to unfold regarding the process to replace Governor Branstad...