Stories from Tuesday, August 26, 2014

It's been the focus of a Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical and the New York Times called it one of the 1,000 places to see before you die. The Iowa State Fair routinely attracts more than 1 million visitors -- and a healthy number of northwest Iowans pass through the gates...

Feb. 20, 1950 -- Aug. 18, 2014 Dr. Harry Hargett, 64, of Waterloo, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at Covenant Medical Center. Dr. Hargett was born Feb. 20, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of Harry Madison and Nora Lee Shook Hargett. He married Cathy Finley on Sept. 13, 1986...

June 25, 1932 -- Aug. 21, 2014 James Duane Mortenson, the son of Engold and Sigrid (Simonsen) Mortenson, was born on June 25, 1932 in Webb. His childhood years were spent between the Webb and Ayrshire area were he graduated from Ayrshire High School in 1951. ...

Iowa Lakes Community College will take a huge step forward in its ongoing effort to be as green -- and sustainable -- as possible when it opens a new educational building next week on the Estherville campus. A ribbon will be cut to officially mark the opening of the Sustainable Energy Resources & Technologies (S.E.R.T.) facility at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28...

The Okoboji High School Music Department provides students the opportunity to travel to the East Coast to perform and see historic sites once every four years. This allows students who participate in music one chance to take part in this trip. No student is required to go on this trip and the trip is paid for by fundraising projects so no school or tax dollars are used...

June 19, 1944 -- Aug. 16, 2014 Joyce Elaine Amdahl Fliehler, 70, of Amarillo, Texas died Aug. 16, 2014. Services were Tuesday at St. Luke Presbyterian Church of Amarillo with Rev. Jim Wallace officiating. Mrs. Fliehler was born on June 19, 1944, in Estherville to Hattie and Gilbert Amdahl. She moved to Amarillo in 2004. She was involved with Girl Scouts in her youth and numerous Bible studies and committees at her church. Mrs. Fliehler was a member of St. Luke Presbyterian Church...

May 8, 1923 -- Aug. 21, 2014 A funeral service for Maurice Dougal, age 91, of Milford, was held Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly. Burial was at Lone Tree Cemetery. Maurice Rolland Dougal, the eldest son of Adelbert Isaac and Goldya Violet (White) Dougal was born May 8, 1923, in Dunlap. His early childhood years were spent in Dunlap and Missouri Valley. When Maurice was 14, his family moved to Everly. He graduated from Everly High School in 1940...

Oct. 13, 1923 -- Aug. 23, 2014 Nelson "Nels" Ellsworth Jr., age 90 of Mankato, Minnesota and formerly of Spencer died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 at Pathstone Living in Mankato. A memorial service honoring Nelson's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. ...

Oct. 28, 1928 -- Aug. 19, 2014 A funeral service for Ramon Hankins, age 85, of Milford was held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, at New Journey Community Church in Milford. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery. Ramon Fred Hankins was born to Vern and Alvina (Dagel) Hankins on Oct. 28, 1928, at a rural home near Sibley...

Dec. 11, 1921 -- Aug. 25, 2014 No services will be held at the request of Robert Vanderveer Ross, who passed away in Spirit Lake on Aug. 25, 2014. Born Dec. 11, 1921, in Indianola to Hobart and Alta Ross, Bob and his parents moved to Winterset early in his youth and lived there until third grade. ...

A permit is in the review process in Des Moines for another proposed bike trail through the Gull Point State Park/DNR Wildlife Refuge property in the village of Wahpeton. My concerns have to do with the intrusion and interference of all wildlife and nature found in the area when large pieces of equipment begin to construct this trail. A "unique, pristine scenic walking trail" that all of us currently enjoy, will be changed forever...

Last weekend, my daughter's friend got married in Okoboji on the Queen II, with the reception hosted in the Pavilion. He brought a wedding party of 200 to our area. Originally from Carroll, but currently living in London where he met his spouse, about 50-75 of the guests were from the UK, Europe, or Canada and had never been here before. ...

The first Lake Park treasure hunt was completed after just the first clue was announced Monday, Aug. 25. The winner will be revealed Friday at 1:30 p.m. during the Lake Park flag raising ceremony. "After having only the first clue, we have a discoverer of the Lake Park medallion," said Lake Park city administrator Wade Wagoner. "We will endeavor to make the clues more difficult in future hunts."...

Dickinson County Nature Center had the honor of hosting a reenactment of the signing of Senate File 2349 by Gov. Terry Branstad Saturday, Aug. 23. About 20 members of the public attended the event outside the Okoboji nature center. President of the Iowa Great Lakes Association Bill Van Orsdel introduced Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds who made a few remarks before passing the podium off to Gov. Branstad...

The Board of Directors of the Voluntary Action Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Peterson as its new executive director. Peterson has lived in the area since 2006 and has recently worked as a freelance writer doing publicist work for various organizations and as a grant writer and nonprofit consultant. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in new media journalism in order to bring the VAC to a new level of community engagement...

Ricardo Mack, 33, Spirit Lake, was charged with driving while suspended and no insurance at 12:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25 at Lake Street and Peoria Avenue in Spirit Lake. Francisco Martinez, 61, Worthington, Minnesota, was charged with violating financial liability coverage and failure to have a valid license at 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in the 600 block of Highway 9,...

Gov. Terry Branstad was on hand Thursday, Aug. 21 to christen a new $1.4 million data center just outside of Lake Park. A grand opening was held for the Great Lakes Communication Corporation facility. A small crowd of supporters enjoyed tours and listened to a short presentation from Branstad...

Milford's appointed mayor and appointed city council member will continue to serve their community through the 2015 election cycle. William J. Reinsbach received 340 votes for mayor from the 368 ballots cast for 93.2 percent support in Tuesday night's special election to fill vacancies...

Relatives of the late Bobby Rickman say they have contacted authorities and are seeking the public's help after the veteran's cremated remains were reported missing from an Arnolds Park residence. Rickman's granddaughter, Kathy Stockdale, released the family's hand-written request for tips on Tuesday. She thinks the theft took place sometime between Sunday, Aug. 24 and Monday, Aug. 25...

The 2014 edition of the Iowa RockNRoll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame Induction Spectacular is a three-day event filled with entertainment, camaraderie and events for all ages. "We have planned many events for people of all ages to enjoy," said IRRMA President John Senn. "The inductees come from all over the country and beyond. We want them and their families, as well as area residents and visitors, to enjoy a great time all weekend long."...