Stories from Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The Italians call it "calicio balila." In Spain you might go to a pool hall for a game of fütbol de mesa and the French would like to see table soccer join table tennis as part of the Olympic Games. Justin Shaw calls foosball a natural extension to his high school cross country career. ...

Zebra mussel larvae have been confirmed in Iowa's largest natural lake. DNR fisheries officials discovered the aquatic invasive species in a sample taken from Big Spirit Lake last fall. "We took about a 24-gallon sample from the middle of the lake during last fall and processed it over the winter as part of our protocol for zebra mussel surveillance," said Northwest Iowa DNR Fisheries Management Biologist Mike Hawkins. ...

U.S. Rep. Steve King credits work done by individual members of USDA and APHIS, the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, to address the spread of bird flu. But, he said the federal agencies weren't prepared to dispose of dead and infected poultry in an efficient way...

The Spillway Drive-In is historic. However, it has a modern flair now and continues to provide a fun, family dining experience. A playground, picnic shelter and the swimming beach on Big Spirit Lake add to the familial atmosphere. A new addition this summer season is the patio with several round tables at which to enjoy food from their family-friendly menu...

Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 5-7 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' free fishing weekend. Free fishing weekend is the first weekend in June each year. It allows Iowans an opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a license. All other regulations remain in place...

The Okoboji softball team fell to 0-3 on the season with a 9-5 loss to Alta-Aurelia at home on Tuesday. The Warriors jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one and tacked on two more in the top half of the second, but Okoboji responded with a pair of its own in the bottom half to make it a 6-2 ballgame...