Stories from Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Spirit Lake voters support property tax request (02/03/10)
The Spirit Lake School District's efforts to fund laptop computers for every student in grades 5-12 received a boost Tuesday night. Voters in the school district gave a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL 56.1 percent support in a special election. The levy received 816 "yes" votes to 638 "no" votes...

Winter Games brings relief from cabin fever (02/03/10)
Cooped up Winter Games enthusiasts flocked to the 30th annual event in record totals this year, and Jen Johnson, program director for the Chamber, has the numbers to prove it. Attendance surged starting with the RE/MAX Chili Feed at the Dickinson County Expo Center Friday night...

Dickinson County possible candidate for FEMA aid (02/03/10)
As the result of severe winter storms, Gov. Chet Culver recently asked President Obama to declare 27 Iowa counties federal disaster areas. If approved, Dickinson County could see a much-needed financial boost to keep summer maintenance projects on track.

Lint arraignment postponed (02/03/10)
The attorney representing Samuel Blue Lint has asked for a one-week delay before entering a plea to drug-related charges in Dickinson County. Lint remains at the Dickinson County Jail in Spirit Lake to face charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. Both are Class D felonies.

Three Pioneers reach finals at Siouxland meet (02/03/10)

Fourth quarter woes loom large in loss for Wolves (02/03/10)
The Harris-Lake Park boys basketball team proved it could compete with the only unbeaten team left in the West Division of the Cornbelt Conference, taking a 47-45 lead over Clay Central-Everly late in the fourth quarter before giving up a late surge in a 63-52 setback Friday, Feb. 2 in Lake Park...

Pioneers outduel Indians in Dickinson County battle (02/03/10)
For the second year in a row, Okoboji won the key swing matches to secure a 37-36 victory over Dickinson County rival Spirit Lake Park in a non-conference dual Thursday, Jan. 28 at Spirit Lake High School. "It is always nice when we can pick up a dual win against Spirit Lake Park," said Okoboji wrestling coach Justin Bouse. ...

Bryce, Miner capture conference titles for Indians (02/03/10)
A pair of underclassmen stole the show for the Spirit Lake Park wrestling team as the duo of Dylan Bryce and Doug Miner earned their first -ever Lakes Conference crowns Friday, Jan. 29, at the Spencer Fieldhouse. Bryce, a sophomore, and Miner, a freshman, both finished the tournament unbeaten at their respective weight classes. The Indians had 12 total place-winners, including four finalists and two third-place performers to finish fourth in the conference with 158.5 points...

Knights go 2-1 to wrap up TLC/NWC action (02/03/10)
The Graettinger/Terril wrestling team finished 2-1 overall, scoring wins over Pocahontas Area/Pomeroy-Palmer and Twin River Valley to wrap up Twin Lakes Conference/Northwest Conference dual action Thursday, Jan. 28 in Pocahontas. The Knights pulled out a 46-23 win over over the host Indians and a 60-16 dual victory over the Thunder, but dropped a 46-27 decision to Rockwell City-Lytton/Southern Cal in the middle dual of the meet...

Wolves hampered by slow start in loss to Tigers (02/03/10)
The Harris-Lake Park girls basketball team made a valiant comeback in the fourth quarter after struggling to buy a basket for most of the first half, but a couple of inopportune turnovers put a halt to any hopes of a victory in a 49-42 loss to Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka Monday, Feb. 1 in Cornbelt Conference play...

H-LP boys cruise past W-CL-T (02/03/10)
The Harris-Lake Park boys basketball team overcame a sloppy start with a solid defense and an opportunistic offense en route to a 62-38 win over Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka Monday, Feb. 1 in Cornbelt Conference play. The Wolves and Tigers combined for a total of 10 points five minutes into the contest, but H-LP jumped ahead 15-5 after holding the W-CL-T scoreless over the next five and a half minutes. Justin Murphy capped off the 10-0 spurt with a basket...

Dickinson County partnership promotes reading (02/03/10)
Reading feeds the minds of youth Representatives from school districts and public libraries across Dickinson County have teamed to offer reading activities during the month of February. The theme for the 2010 Reading Month is, "Reading feeds the minds of youth." The planning group chose the theme to honor famous Iowan Dr. ...

Shadow-dancer Phil reminds us to not quit in the middle (02/03/10)
Does anyone else wish Punxsutawney Phil would just keep his opinions to himself? It seems a grave disservice on the part of the little rodent to only make a public appearance once a year to present an entirely smoke-and-mirrors projection of winter's length based on, what? His shadow

Isder named Gallery Director at A Piece of Work, Inc. (02/03/10)
A Piece of Work, Inc. announced the hiring of a new staff member to their Emporium of Original Art.

Marian Buchanan (02/03/10)
July 20, 1914 -- Dec. 23, 2009 A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, at Union memorial Church in Milford for Marian Buchanan of Arlington, Wash. Another memorial service was held Sunday, Jan. 24, at Arlington United Church...

John "Jack" Platter (02/03/10)
Jan. 7, 1932 -- Jan. 29, 2010 A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for John "Jack" Platter, age 78, of Estherville, who passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at his home in Estherville...

Mary K. Allen (02/03/10)
Mary K. Allen passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at her home after battling ovarian cancer since April of 2006.

Mary Sue Robinson (02/03/10)
Memorial services for Mary Sue Robinson, age 56, of Longview, Texas, will be 11 a.m. Friday Feb. 5, 2010 at the Little Sioux Lutheran Church in rural Milford. Dr. Mike Monte will officiate

Nancy Blevins (02/03/10)
Funeral services were recently held for Nancy Blevins, 52, of Ida Grove who passed away Saturday Jan. 23, 2010 at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center in Sioux City following a battle with cancer.

Wilson, Kalkhoff to wed (02/03/10)
Joe and Becky Wilson are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Heather Michelle, to Michael Thomas Kalkhoff, son of Dr. Tom and Annette Kalkhoff of Spirit Lake.

Hats off to you (02/03/10)
To all the blood donors of Dickinson County, "hats off to you," as we had another tremendous successful American Red Cross Blood Drive here in January.

A Different Morning (02/03/10)
Dear Editor: In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character, Phil, wakes up each morning to discover it's still February 2. Stuck in a time loop, he can't move forward with his life until he makes major changes to better himself and his community...

Cardinal thanks (02/03/10)
We thank all the people that made the ArtsLIVE People's Project another fantastic success this year! Over 200 people braced the cold and showed up to make the shape of a giant cardinal on the ice on Little Millers Bay in front of Iowa Lakeside Lab.