Stories from Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Cats have nine lives so maybe nine election cycles are enough for Dickinson County Auditor Nancy Reiman. She recently turned in her resignation, effective at the end of the year, to the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors. Tax formula changes and healthcare reforms are on the horizon and Reiman wants Dickinson County's next auditor to be in place as all of the changes take shape...

Harris-Lake Park locked up in a back and forth tussle with Estherville Lincoln Central for three quarters before falling apart defensively in a 74-61 loss in a boys basketball showdown Tuesday night in Lake Park. "It was kind of what I expected," said Harris-Lake Park coach Jeff Sohn. ...

Clinging to a three-point advantage, Miranda Brueggeman and Macy Gunderson came up with two big late steals and Gunderson nailed 3-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to help Harris-Lake Park surge past Estherville Lincoln Central 46-38 in the Wolves' home opener Tuesday in Lake Park...

Cody Poock, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound freshman linebacker from Iowa Western Community College, was named first team All-Midwest Football Conference his freshman season along with 13 other Reivers. Poock ranked first on the team with 73 tackles (30 solos), averaging 6.6 stops per game. ...

Even though Harris-Lake Park seniors Macy Gunderson and Noreen Morrow both would agree that a lot of their success wouldn't have been possible without their teammates, they are starting to reap the individual rewards of an impressive 2013 volleyball season...

Harris-Lake Park rode a balanced performance to an impressive 63-59 victory over Southwestern United in the annual border-battle Monday night in Okabena, Minn. The Wolves used a strong effort at the free throw line to put the Wildcats away after leading 29-24 at the halftime break. H-LP scored 34 points in the second half...

John Brown has been instrumental in the growth of Spirit Lake over the past decade. He's helped fund the renovations of the Spirit Lake football stadium, fostered the growth of Central Bank with his brother Tim and helped the community break ground on a new YMCA...

Okoboji Elementary parents, be sure to set aside your child's favorite blue shirt for a special occasion Friday. School district representatives recently returned from a ceremony in Washington D.C., where Okoboji Elementary was recognized as one of 286 "Blue Ribbon" schools across the country...

A love of nature and passion for photography led Karess Knudtson back to Dickinson County. The newest Dickinson County Naturalist, her husband and their two young children have lived just outside of Horseshoe Bend near Milford for the more than 10 years...

Julie Bennett, 42, Rossie, was charged interference with official acts at 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Lakes Regional Healthcare. Kaitlin Weisbrod, 20, Spirit Lake, was charged with operating while intoxicated at 2:48 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, along 175th Street...

Could a shooting range work in Lake Park? Lake Park city administrator Wade Wagoner wonders if his idea for a potential trap, skeet, rifle and archery range is on the mark in western Dickinson County. "With shooting sports growing in both youth and adult participation throughout Iowa and the country, the time is right for Lake Park to explore a leadership role in developing a regional shooting facility," Wagoner said. ...

As the student driver approached the intersection, a red mo-ped attempted to make a left turn in front of his vehicle. The student couldn't hit the breaks quick enough and slammed into the reckless mo-ped operator, despite his best efforts. Thankfully, this was all part of a simulation at the Spirit Lake High School Tuesday, Nov. 26...

For many years, the Dickinson County cities and the county have offered recycling services for paper, plastic, tin and glass. Each community adopted their own plan. Recently, it was discovered the cost to the municipalities and the county had grown to exceed $225,000. The recycling issue gained added interest recently when the market for recycled glass declined to almost nothing, making the economics even worse...

The new Okoboji Community School logo will be unveiled at the home basketball game on Friday, Dec. 20. Students will be highly involved in the program by showing a video to highlight the features of the logo, giving away a few Okoboji T-shirts, and holding banners displaying the new logo...

In response to a previous column: Yes I am a "Christmas creep" and a happy one. I have several reasons for this. One reason is that I have an extremely large family and planning before Thanksgiving is a necessary. Than I am better able to enjoy the Christmas activities with family, friends and at church...

What do Kenny Rogers, James Taylor, Merle Haggard, and Jerry Lee Lewis have in common? At one time or another they've all called on the talents of singer/songwriter Dickey Lee. Lee has enjoyed hits in each decade between the 50s and the 90s -- a Lakes audience will have a chance to hear selections from his catalogue at the end of 2013...

April 14, 1935 -- Nov. 27, 2013 Frances "Fran" Miller, 78, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Britt, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the United Methodist Church in Britt with Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Britt...

Jan. 26, 1924 -- Nov. 26, 2013 A funeral service for Twylla Lloyd, age 89, of Spirit Lake, was held Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Twylla Ruth Gregory Lloyd was born near Lake Park on Jan. ...

May 16, 1927 -- Nov. 25, 2013 A funeral service for Ella Mae Eilers, 86, of Milford, was held Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Milford. Ella Mae Rosemary Eilers, beloved sister and aunt passed away Nov. 25, 2013, at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake surrounded by family...

July 9, 1952 -- Nov. 29, 2013 Catherine "Cathy" J. (Nesvik) Hoffman, 61, of Cushing, Minn. died on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at HCMC in Minneapolis. A Celebration of Life for Cathy will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at Motley United Methodist Church, with Pastor Greg Ciesluk officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples, Minn...

Dec. 28, 2043 -- Nov. 24, 2013 A celebration of life service was held Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Interment was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake.
Brian Marvin Cerny, son of Marvin and Edna (Vopalensky) Cerny, was born Dec. ...

March 23, 1935 -- Nov. 27, 2013 Basil "Sonny" John Roberts, Spirit Lake, the son of Basil and Anna (Miller) Roberts, was born March 23, 1935, in Estherville. He passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, at the age of 78...

Feb. 22, 1930 - Nov. 27, 2013 Alice Ann Kehoe, the daughter of James and Leola (Frost) Stinogel, was born Feb. 22, 1930, in Spirit Lake. She received her education in Arnolds Park, graduating from high school in 1947. Following high school, Alice attended Wayne State Teachers College for two years. She taught school for five years...