Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Courthouse dedication draws hundreds (06/17/09)

Tax revenue discussed at annual Dickinson County Taxpayers Association Meeting (06/17/09)
The annual meeting of the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association was held Friday, June 12, and a discussion on the county's tax revenue was on the agenda. Dickinson County Supervisor Mardi Allen was present at the meeting and gave a powerpoint presentation on how the county's $38 million is put to use. To begin, Allen wanted to make one point perfectly clear...

No. 5 Pioneers rally for victory over rival Indians (06/17/09)
The Okoboji baseball team overcame a rocky start to rally for a 9-6 victory over Dickinson County rival Spirit Lake with four runs in the final three innings Thursday, June 11 in a non-conference showdown. "It's definitely good to get a win over them because the kids view it as a fun rivalry and they always want to play well and win that one," said Okoboji head coach Rory Marra. ...

No. 11 Okoboji jumps on Mustangs early in 11-3 victory (06/17/09)
Balance was the key for the Okoboji softball team in a 11-3 victory over George-Little Rock/Central Lyon Thursday June 11 in a Siouxland Conference game in Milford, as the Pioneers scored two or more runs in four of the first five innings and benefitted from multi-hit games from four different players...

Indians, Knights both come away with one win on Saturday (06/17/09)
Spirit Lake and Graettinger/Terril each pulled out one victory at the annual KUOO/Q102 softball tournament hosted by Spirit Lake on Saturday, June 13. The Indians posted a 1-2 record, garnering an 8-7 win over Kingsley-Pierson, sandwiched in between losses to Remsen St. Mary's and Class 3A, No. 4 Sioux City Bishop Heelan, while the Knights captured a victory in its only contest of the tournament, outslugging Lawton-Bronson 6-2...

Kruger's arm and balanced lineup propel Wolves to first win (06/17/09)
The Harris-Lake Park baseball team backed up a strong pitching performance by Kyle Kruger with an outstanding offensive showing, collecting 13 hits from nine different players en route to an 8-3 victory over Ruthven-Ayrshire Wednesday, June 10 in a West Division matchup in the Cornbelt Conference...

Wolves showcase speed in win over Raiders (06/17/09)
The Harris-Lake Park softball team took advantage of its team speed, stealing a season-high 12 bases en route to a 7-3 victory over Ruthven-Ayrshire Wednesday, June 10 in a West Division matchup in Cornbelt Conference play. "We played solid offensively and solid defensively," said Harris-Lake Park head coach Eric Clouse. ...

Treasure Village celebrates 37 years of entertainment (06/17/09)
For those who have been searching for positive, family-fun entertainment, look no further than Treasure Village. Opening for its 37th season this summer, this family-owned entertainment center offers children, and children at heart, with an outlet for memorable summer fun. The main attractions at the location include a Children's Theatre and Miniature Golf course, as well as Sunday night gospel concerts and popular flea markets...

OST touts variety with 52nd season (06/17/09)
Each summer, students and professionals entertain crowds of Okoboji Summer Theatre patrons with their incredible talent, and this year will be no different. Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) kicks off its 52nd season this week. Shows for 2009 include "A...My Name is Alice," "Almost, Maine," "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "What I Did Last Summer," "Forever Plaid," "Hay Fever," "George Washington Slept Here," "Proof" and "Into the Woods."...

Iowa Lakes Foundation hosts scholarship luau (06/17/09)
Put on a hula skirt for the 2009 Dickinson County Scholarship Luau to benefit students from Dickinson County who attend Iowa Lakes Community College. The Scholarship Luau will take place on Thursday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Barefoot Bar on Lake Okoboji. Participants will enjoy a meal at 7 p.m., Big Nacho karaoke, raffles, games, contests and silent auction. The first 250 people in attendance at the event receive a free gift...

Art guitar voting intensifies (06/17/09)
The 2009 Art Guitars in Schools contest is under way at the Iowa RockNRoll Music Museum in Arnolds Park and people are flocking in to cast their votes. High school art students from across Iowa and Southern Minnesota have turned Gretsch guitars into works of art. All summer visitors to the music museum vote for their favorite to win the People's Choice Award. In August, artists will judge the entries to determine the Artists' Choice winner...

Deborah Ihnen (06/17/09)
(July 27, 1951 -- May 29, 2009) Funeral services were held May 30 at the Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Deborah Gail Ihnen, 57, of Bloomington, Minn. who passed away May 29 at Spirit Lake.

Kevin Michael Kelly (06/17/09)
Memorial services were held June 10 at the Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City for Kevin Michael Kelly, 59, who passed away on June 1, after a long illness. He was a musician, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. Kevin was born in Estherville, grew up on Lake West Okoboji and graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1968. ...

Roy Kirchner (06/17/09)
(March 15, 1919 - June 6, 2009) Mass of Christian burial was held June 9 at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville for Roy Kirchner, 90, who passed away June 6 at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville at the age of 90. Father Brian Hughes officiated.

Cathy Paxton (06/17/09)
(March 9, 1947 - April 23, 2009) A graveside funeral service was held Saturday, June 5, 2009 at Silver Lake Cemetery, Lake Park for Cathy Paxton, 62, of Lake Park who passed away April 23, 2009 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake.

Sylvia Marisol Ramos-Mendez (06/17/09)
(June 6, 2009) A funeral service for one-day-old Sylvia Marisol Ramos-Mendez was held Monday, June 8 at St. Margaret's Cemetery, Spirit Lake. Fr. James Smith officiated. Sylvia died Saturday after a premature birth. Her parents are Joaquia and Florinda Ramos-Mendez of Estherville. She is also survived by two sisters. {http://www.turnerfuneralhomes.com Turner Funeral Home} of Spirit Lake was in charge of arrangements.

Jim and Mary Quitno celebrate 50th wedding anniversary (06/17/09)
Pastor Jim and Mary Quitno will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 20 with their family at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Chanhassen, Minn. Celebrating with them will be their three daughters and their families: Kristy and Jeff Harrison and their three children from Urbandale; Tracy and Darren Anderson and their two children from Spirit Lake and Molly and Dan Rost and their three children who reside in Sioux Falls...

Sirens 6/17/09 (06/17/09)
On Wednesday June 10 at approximately 11:28 p.m., Spirit Lake Police arrested two subjects at 2204 Gary Avenue on several charges. While at the residence for a complaint, police say they discovered several items of drug paraphernalia in plain view. The subjects, identified as 22-year-old Steven James Husaboe and 20-year-old Hayley Marie Tuinstra, both of Spirit Lake, were place under arrest. Further investigation showed there was a no contact order between the two subjects.

A religious experience (06/17/09)
Last week I was fortunate enough to embark on my first summer vacation since before college. My destination? Boston, Mass. -- home to Fenway Park, the beloved Red Sox (and the team's obsessed fans), cobblestone streets, culture-rich districts, public gardens, more delicious restaurants than any one person could visit, high-end shopping, and most importantly, my two New England sisters...

Clean energy standards (06/17/09)
With all the talk about higher gas prices across Iowa and across the country, I believe the time is ripe for a conversation about stronger clean energy standards and initiatives. It is becoming more clear as each day passes that America's reliance on fossil fuels is draining our economy, threatening our security, as well as putting our planet and future generations in peril...

PLAC - a shining star (06/17/09)
Last Saturday night the Pearson Lakes Art Center's 45th annual fundraiser was an event to be remembered. After a long day of chilly rain, patrons were in the mood to mingle and enjoy the evening, and thanks to the committee headed by Susan Hoien the event went seamlessly...

Lower Gar discussions (06/17/09)
I would like to commend the Milford City Council and Dickinson County Board of Supervisors for hosting the recent public meetings to discuss the situation of the Lower Gar outlet, and for inviting representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to explain the studies, technical aspects and permitting requirements of the various proposals for managing the water levels of the Iowa Great Lakes system. ...

An open letter to Rep. Latham (06/17/09)
I most certainly agree about the rural problems in Iowa as listed in your article in The Des Moines Register, Sunday, May 10, 2009. At the end you asked to be contacted with our concerns and views on how Congress can address the needs of rural Iowa. There are many solutions and I will list below our solution...

Home