Stories from Thursday, May 28, 2015

A five-run second inning vaulted Alta-Aurelia past Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire in the Titans' softball season opener on Tuesday, as the Warriors earned a 9-2 win at home. Playing to a 0-0 tie through the first inning, Alta-Aurelia capitalized for five runs in the bottom half of the second before tacking on a run in each the third and fourth and two more in the fifth to take a 9-0 lead over the visiting Titans...

Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire's Tyler Hoffman went the distance for the Titans in their season-opening victory over Sibley-Ocheyedan on Tuesday, as the junior allowed just one earned run in a 5-2 win over the Generals. "Overall, it was a good first night," GT/RA coach Corey Boe said. ...

In Harris-Lake Park's softball season opener on Tuesday, the Wolves were edged by Trinity Christian in a 5-4 road loss. Katherin Ihnen took the loss for H-LP. The junior went 3 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs and a walk while striking out four batters...

A two-out single by Spirit Lake's Cory Meschede broke open a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth inning Tuesday, as the Indians defeated Sheldon 4-3 on the road. Tied at the end of regulation, the Orabs picked up a pair of quick outs in the top half of the eighth, as Spirit Lake's Connor Kuiper popped up to third base and Brock Tvedte struck out swinging. ...

Tied 1-1 entering the fourth inning of Wednesday's softball battle between Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire and Estherville Lincoln Central, the Midgets slowly built a 5-1 before holding off the Titans for a 5-2 victory in Terril. ELC and GT/RA each scored a run in the second inning before the Midgets plated one in the top half of the fourth to take a 2-1 advantage...

Spirit Lake was simply too much for Sioux Central in the Indians' baseball home opener on Wednesday, as the hosts led from start to finish in a 9-4 win over the Rebels. After a scoreless first inning, Spirit Lake capitalized in the second as Brock Tvedte connected on a one-out single to score teammate Logan Backhaus, and later scored on a Sioux Central fielding error to put his squad up 2-0 after two...

For the third consecutive year Hotel California graces the Lauridsen stage at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Hotel California has performed tribute shows to the Grammy award-winning sounds of The Eagles for well over 20 years. "We normally don't book the same show for more than two consecutive years, but this band is an exception," PLAC Performing Arts Director Rachelle Fratzke said. "People love the show and keep coming back."...

A trio of round-trippers lifted Spirit Lake past Newell-Fonda in the Indians' softball home opener on Wednesday, as Bailee Newman, Josie Fagen and Kailee Jenness each went yard in a 7-2 win over the Mustangs. Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom half of the second inning, Spirit Lake's Maddie Richter got things going with a leadoff single before advancing to second as Fagen reached on a fielding error. ...

In response to a recent letter to the editor by a Spirit Lake resident on the subject of taxing churches: The writer claims to have been a church member and church supporter all his life in various communities. We are all aware that the church provides services to the community that government cannot...

A huge thank you to the Good Neighbor Fund, for helping support the YMCA of the Okobojis. Your donation will be utilized to make sure everyone can participate in youth sports, aquatics, campships, Kinship, teen programs, child care programs and more. ...

While rain forced postponements across northwest Iowa, nothing could dampen the spirits of two Dickinson County girls golfers, as Okoboji's Alex Mankle and Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire's Sara Harris punched their tickets to the state golf tournament...

Feb. 12, 1967 -- May 21, 2015 Jill Fisbeck, age 48, of Spirit Lake died on Thursday May 21, 2015, in Okoboji. Memorial services were Tuesday, May 26 at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake, with Rev. Clint Loveall celebrating. Visitation was Monday at the Schuchert Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake...

Oct. 31, 1945 -- April 20, 2015 A Memorial Gathering and Prayer Service for Patricia Crandall, 69, of Milford, will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May, 31, 2015 in the Luther Rose Prayer Garden at the First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji with the Prayer Service starting at 4:30 p.m. The service will be a gathering of friends, memories and music...

The poultry committee for ISU Extension in Dickinson County will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in Milford to address an Iowa Department of Agriculture decision to cancel all live bird exhibitions at county fairs. The department's order will remain in place through the end of 2015. It also prohibits live birds from being sold at livestock auction markets, swap meets and exotic sales...