Stories from Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Spirit Lake wasn't just playing for a homecoming win Friday at Hafer Field, but for their playoff lives after dropping their first two district games by a combined 21 points. The Indians jumped in front 14-0 on big plays from Luke Kabele and Cody Poock and beat the Lions at their own game, using a blue collar physical approach to hand Central Lyon/George-Little Rock a 31-14 setback in Class 2A District 1 play...

Spirit Lake put together a gallant effort, but wasn't able to overcome the firepower and balance of Le Mars in front of a boisterous homecoming crowd, faltering in three sets Thursday, Sept. 23, on Senior Night. Senior outside hitter Kirstie Ruhland proved to be a major thorn in the Indians' side, as the Lady Bulldogs kept feeding their go-to player until it eventually paid off in game three when she hammered five of her match-high 10 kills. ...

NJCAA 2010 National Champion wrestler Victor DeJesus has been permanently honored on the wall of the Iowa Lakes Community College wrestling room thanks to local artist Mitch Eveleth. In regards to finding someone to do a mural for the wrestling room, Iowa Lakes head wrestling coach Ty Eustice said, "I'd heard a lot about Mitch's artwork, and since I was an art major at the University of Iowa, I talked about art with him a few times on the golf course. ...

With a pair of challenging district showdowns against ranked foes looming, Harris-Lake Park could ill-afford a road loss to North Sentral Kossuth if they wanted to keep their playoffs hopes alive. The Wolves looked destined to come out victorious after rallying back from a 15-0 deficit, but a flurry of turnovers in the third quarter quickly turned a six-point game into a blowout. ...

A standout performance by senior Gabe McCoy propelled the Spirit Lake boys cross country team to its third meet title of the season Monday, Sept. 27 at the Algona Invitational in Whittemore. "At the two-mile mark he was in 63rd place and I screamed at him that 10 seconds ahead of him were 20 places and by the time Gabe finished he in was 42nd," said Spirit Lake coach Tim Heinitz. ...

The duo of Briana Brunsvold and KJ Veldman continued to carry a heavy workload for the Spirit Lake girls cross country team, lifting the Indians top a third place team finish with a pair of top-10 individual showings Monday, Sept. 27 at the Algona Invitational...

Taking the first step is often the hardest part when you begin a journey. This is true especially when it comes to getting back in shape and staying on track with a fitness regimen. It's easy to get swallowed up or overwhelmed by the big picture. Stepping out of your comfort zone and changing old habits can be difficult. But to make a lasting lifestyle change, you must take that first difficult step...

The words "sunny" and "clear" are popping up in the forecast through the weekend for Dickinson County. And that's good news for area growers who waited out recent rains to move ahead with harvest.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has been elected to serve as vice president of a national organization made up of ag leaders from all 50 states and four U.S. territories.

As the November election nears, a group of over 120 organizations has banded together, traveling the state to rally voter support to create a water quality and conservation trust fund.

I do not share the "Dancing" fixation with her. I think the costumes are silly, for one. All the women look like different versions of Showgirl Barbie, all sequins and midriff baring dresses, sprayed to the color of a basted turkey with fake tanner and wearing more makeup than what's contained in the entire cosmetics department at Macy's.

Participants at an upcoming tribute to a Lakes area rock 'n' roll icon will get their choice to dine on either chicken oscar or prime rib. But either way, they'll get to see a great roast, organizers say.

An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at the John and Karen Goodenow Gallery as Pearson Lakes Art Center welcomes "Finding Content: Sculpture by William Lieb."

David Moore, 29, of Spirit Lake, was charged with disorderly conduct at 4:03 a.m. Sept. 15. David Bjork, 45, of Spirit Lake, was charged with an OWI at 11:48 p.m. Sept. 16. Joshua Currier, 19, with no listed residence, was charged on an executive arrest warrant at 3:20 p.m. Sept. 17...

The recent recall of nearly 600 million eggs originating from a north Iowa producer caused consumers to question the integrity and honor of our farm families and the continued reliability of safe food.

It came to my attention this week in listening to Garrison Keilor's Writer's Almanac that what we are going through right now in this country really isn't any different than what our Patriot Fathers went through so many years ago. We face government who increasingly spends more than our nation produces. And what does the answer seem to be

A Spencer Life Chain will be held as part of the National Life Chain effort. Communities across the nation on Oct. 3 are coming together for Christians to make a visual solidarity statement that abortion, partial birth abortion, abortifacient birth control or any method of murder is wrong...

Dick Plum, age 63, of Algona died on Friday, September 24, 2010 at Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Algona, with Rev. Marsha Smith officiating.

LouAnn M. Swenson and Steven L. Arends of Estherville have announced their engagement

Funeral services were Thursday, Sept. 23, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake for Richard Alan Harmon of Spencer and formerly of Spirit Lake.

Services were held Monday, Sept. 27, at Warner Chapel in Spencer for Herbert Allen Birchard, 81, of Milford. Interment was at Dickens Cemetery of Dickens. The Rev. Bud Watts officiated. Military services were conducted by American Legion Glen Pedersen Post #1.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Sept. 25, at Warner Chapel in Spencer for Ernest William Hoelterhoff of Spirit Lake and formerly of Spencer and Terril.

A funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 25, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church for Edwin "Ed" Nelsen, age 74, of Milford.

A memorial service was held Sunday, Sept. 26 at Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt for Arlene Harrie (Rystad) Twedt of DeWitt and formerly of Spirit Lake. The Rev. Sarah E. Kretzmann officiated.