Stories from Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Enforcement stepped up at Gull Point, area parks this Fourth (06/30/10)
DNR officials call in additional staff, local law enforcement, to ensure public safety Booze might not be banned at Gull Point this Fourth of July, but area DNR officials are making the public aware that enforcement is being stepped up at public parks across the Lakes area...

Stormy weekend leaves damage, standing water behind (06/30/10)
Outbuildings were leveled, bark was peeled off trees, grain bins were tossed and power lines were tilted after an unusually strong storm system ripped through Osceola County Friday night. Meteorologists began the week examining and photographing the Sibley-area damage and have determined that one of multiple tornados on a stormy night reached EF4 in strength. The path of the most destructive tornado spun south of Little Rock and curled west and south of Sibley...

SL bats heat up late, propel Indians past Tigers (06/30/10)
For the second straight contest, Spirit Lake avenged a Lakes Conference loss from earlier in the season with some timely hitting, solid defense and the 1-2 pitching combination of Paul Brown and Tyler Dean on the way to a 10-6 victory over Spencer Monday, June 28 on the baseball diamond...

Indians top Tigers in dramatic fashion (06/30/10)
A pair of underclassmen delivered a pair of critical blows for Spirit Lake as freshman Paige Krause had a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth and sophomore Emily Mercer hit a walk-off homer in the seventh to seal a 7-6 victory over Spencer Monday, June 28 in Lakes Conference softball play...

Pioneers finish 4-0 at home tourney (06/30/10)
The Okoboji softball team continued its hot streak, winning all four contests at its home tournament to stretch its winning streak to 10 games this past weekend in Milford. The Pioneers (19-7 overall) defeated Graettinger-Terril 7-0 behind a five-run sixth and broke open a 4-4 ball game with Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in the late innings en route to a 7-4 victory Thursday. ...

H-LP little leaguers capture title at SLYAA tourney (06/30/10)

Community Garden reaps fruits of labor, friendship (06/30/10)
All across the city of Spirit Lake, summer produce is cropping up; at a lot near Dyno's on the city's north side, at another site at Lakes Regional Healthcare, and still another on 28th street in the city's residential area. The plots total nearly an acre in entirety, and are overflowing with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, onions and more. ...

Robert Douglas Whitney (06/30/10)
June 13, 1965 - June 19, 2010 Services were held June 24, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji with interment at a later date for Robert Douglas Whitney, who passed away June 19, 2010. Robert Douglas Whitney was born to Duane and Janet (Foss) Whitney at Worthington, Minn., on June 13, 1965. ...

Myrtle B. Varney (06/30/10)
June 29, 1919 - June 19, 2010 Services were held Thursday, June 24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril for Myrtle B. Varney, who passed away June 19, 2010, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, at the age of 90. Myrtle B. Varney was the daughter of George and Cora (McKinlay) Varney, was born July 29, 1919, in Hobson, Mont...

Lewis William Pogeler (06/30/10)
Services were held Friday, June 25 with interment at Lakeview Gardens in Spirit Lake for Lewis William Pogeler, who passed away June 22. Lewis William Pogeler was born April 24, 1924 in Manson, the son of John and Lena (Carstens) Pogeler. He graduated from Manson High School in 1942. Lewis served his country during W.W.II. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1943 and received his basic training at Camp Polk, La. He was sent to the European front, where he served until the end of the war...

DuChene, Estapa wed (06/30/10)
Anne DuChene and John Estapa were married May 22, 2010, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. A reception followed at The Inn of Okoboji. Honorary attendants were Kate Thoma and Greg Opsal. Attendants were Jill McBreen, Jessi Parker, Meg Estapa, Amy Lockhart, Nicole Geopfert, Devon DeAngelo, Mark Goedken, Nic Dell, Eric Burt, and Brian Noble. Ring bears were the bride's nephew Brady Thoma and Sam and William Lockhart...

Home of the free because of the brave (06/30/10)
Among other things that showcase his tireless dedication to his family and country, my grandpa, like so many other grandpas in the area, is a World War II veteran. Not too long ago, he got the opportunity to take a trip with my grandma, my mother and my two uncles to the monument dedicated to he and his fellow service men in Washington, D.C. While at the monument, it wasn't long before a group of school kids approached him...