Stories from Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Residents in the Creston area are dealing with a tragedy and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to prevent it from happening elsewhere. Three fishermen from Creston went ice fishing Saturday afternoon and died this weekend after falling through the ice on a farm pond in Union County...

A season of occasional snow cover hasn't necessarily led to a county decrease in fire danger. Spring temperatures have arrived and Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator MIke Ehret urges landowners to remain cautious as they consider a controlled burn...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center is adding some red, white and blue to a holiday known for its Irish green. The United States Army Field Band will be hosting a free public performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in Okoboji. Expect some patriotic tunes, but the concert is tailored to a wide range of musical interests...

It was controlled chaos inside the Spirit Lake gym Thursday, March 5 for the annual Minds in Motion event. From homemade snow to volcanoes and slime, third- and fourth-grade students put their creative thinking and problem solving abilities on display for their peers and parents alike...

A dark, summer sky without loud, colorful explosions is a missed opportunity to Tal Allen. The man behind the annual West Lake firework shows is a regional sales representative and pyrotechnic for J&M Displays. Allen's efforts during Winter Games 35 gave Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce vice president Jeff Thee a sense of relief as the local chamber executive oversaw his first fireworks show. ...

Matthew Williams, 33, Hartley, was charged with fifth degree theft -- watch, at 12:24 a.m. Thursday, March 5 at Wal-Mart. Jade Mankle, 25, Spencer, was charged with possession of a controlled substance -- marijuana, at 1:20 p.m. Monday, March 2, along Circle Drive in Spirit Lake...

A Spirit Lake man has won a $100,000 lottery prize. Merle Sorum claimed the second of six top prizes of $100,000 available in the Iowa Lottery's "Cash Frenzy" instant-scratch game. Sorum claimed his prize Thursday, March 5, at the lottery's regional office in Storm Lake. He purchased his winning ticket at Dyno's in Spirit Lake...

Iowa Lakes Community College has received word that its agreement to serve as a Northwest Region Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) hub has been renewed for another three years. The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council reviewed performance reports and invited Molly Faber, Iowa Lakes STEM Hub programmer, to comment on the strengths and opportunities for growth moving forward...

Spring is just around the corner and many folks are looking forward to spending time outdoors. The "Water Rocks!" organization invites visitors to Iowa state parks to join in a real-world hunt for hidden treasure--specifically geocaches. Geocaching is an activity that combines technology with an appreciation for the outdoors...

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday, March 13, will make a stop in the Iowa Great Lakes in honor of Women's History Month. The general public is invited to attend a reception from 5-6 p.m. at Creative Spirits Okoboji, located at 1709 Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake. Owned and operated by Barbara Clayton, Creative Spirits is honored to serve as host of this celebration of the women in the Iowa Great Lakes...

The 15-student Iowa Lakes Community College handbell choir performed a handbell selection at the handbell workshop, "Ring in the Spring!" Saturday, Feb. 28, at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, in Leawood, Kansas (greater Kansas City area)...

I'm writing about the upcoming election on April 7 regarding the building of a new middle school in Milford. I have a lot of sentiment regarding the Milford and Okoboji Schools. I graduated from Milford High School in 1946, my wife in 1947, my five children from Milford High, and four grandchildren from Okoboji. We all received an excellent education in this school. Lots of memories...

With an overall combined record of 105-77, a pair of conference runners-up, a conference champion and a state qualifier, lakes area basketball teams had a stellar 2014-15 season by anyone's standards. Here is a look at how each performed: Making their second trip to Des Moines in three years, the Spirit Lake girls basketball team once again proved how dangerous it can be in the postseason. ...

On Tuesday, Spirit Lake senior Emma Dau and Okoboji junior Megan Peschong were named to the Iowa Newspaper Associations All-State basketball teams for the 2014-15 season. Dau, a 6-foot forward, was named to the Class 3A First Team after leading Spirit Lake to the state tournament for the second time in her four-year prep career. ...

Two area banks donated funds to help with the finishing touches of the Lakes Area Hockey Association Boji Bay Ice Arena. The Boji Blizzard Minis (6U) and Mites (8U) are pictured thanking Northwest Bank's Market President Dan Kitzinger for the sponsorship of a locker room. ...

Patti Griffiths, member of Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford recently completed a mission trip to Tanzanian, Africa. The trip was in conjunction with STEMM (Sioux Land Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries) and the Next Life Foundation (NLF)...