Stories from Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Class 3A No. 15 Spirit Lake suffered just one set loss to Lakes Conference rival Cherokee at home on Tuesday night, as the Indians topped the Braves 3-1 on Pink Out Night. The Indians expected a dogfight as the two teams were neck-and-neck for second place in the conference standings behind top-ranked Western Christian, and they got just that as the Braves battled close through the first three sets...

Tim and Tom Pearson have another outlet in their effort to resolve global disputes and conflicts. The brothers were in Chicago on Sept. 30 to make a $100 million donation to the University of Chicago. The money will go toward the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts and The Pearson Global Forum at the Harris School of Public Policy...

Whether he's in Russia, England, New York or Omaha, John Moore is always bringing a piece of home with him. The Milford native and 2000 Okoboji High School graduate is now a professional opera singer, but loves to advocate for the Iowa Great Lakes, no matter where his profession takes him. He recently ran into an audience member in Russia who said they've spent vacations in Okoboji. A gentleman in a New York City audience stood up and asked Moore how the fishing was on West Lake...

The Okoboji school board met on Monday, Sept. 28, to discuss how to move forward regarding the middle school building issue. With three newly elected members, the Board decided to not hold another election in February. Additional time is needed to reassess the needs and reconsider the options for our middle school students. ...

Kenneth Scott, 52, Spirit Lake, was charged with second degree burglary of a Buick Park Avenue at 4:05 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Sunner Avenue and 28th Street in Spirit Lake. Catalino Ramos-Lopez, 41, Estherville, was charged with failure to obey a red light and failure to have a valid driver's license at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at Highway 71 and Hill Avenue...

The harvest season is well underway and early forecasts predict an above-average yield. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on Monday said about 32 percent of the state's soybeans have been harvested, to go with 13 percent of the state's corn crop...

With harvest season ramping up, the Iowa State Patrol cautions drivers to be vigilant as farm implement operators share the road. "The biggest issue and number of accidents we see this time of year involve farm implements being rear-ended by faster-moving vehicles on the highway due to the difference in speed," Trooper Vince Kurtz, safety education officer with the Iowa State Patrol, said. ...

Lake Park's neighboring state park could get a makeover in time for the city's 125th anniversary celebration. Residents and DNR officers discussed the untapped potential of Trapper's Bay State Park at a public meeting Wednesday, Sept. 30. Trapper's Bay, located on the north shore of Silver Lake, has a history which dates back to the 1930s. ...

Parks Marina in Okoboji and Sioux Falls, South Dakota is proud to announce that Sales Associate, Jamie Johnson has been named the No. 1 salesperson in the world for Cobalt boat sales for 2015. This recognition is based on sales volume and measures against the sales performance of Cobalt boats worldwide. Johnson and his wife will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Cabo San Lucas Mexico as reward for this outstanding achievement...

An 18-mile fish kill on Stony Creek in Osceola and Clay Counties has been traced back to an egg layer facility. A tank that contained egg washing liquid at Sunrise Farms near May City in Osceola County was dumped into a corn field and flowed into Stony Creek. The amount of liquid released has not yet been determined...

The Okoboji Foundation will host a free event with Lakes area non-profit organizations in mind. Kristi Knous and Joe Sorenson of Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines will keynote a luncheon planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Knous provides the vision and leadership for shaping the Des Moines Foundation's role as a civic leader, grant-maker, philanthropic partner and charitable giving vehicle. ...

Join with others for an inspiring and relaxing weekend at the Camp Okoboji Fall Women's retreat, Oct. 9-10. Bible study leader Tia Pugh will help those in attendance dig into God's Word, laugh, cry, and build relationships with other Christian women. Cost is $85 which includes housing (Friday night), meals (Friday supper through Saturday supper), a program and the Kathy Troccoli concert. Register online at www.campokoboji.org or call the camp office: 712-337-3325...

There were 11 participants in the 2015 Worldwide Photo Walk held Saturday at Fort Defiance State Park near Estherville. They were: Becky Smith, Wendy Pearson, Mary Chambers, Sue Boettcher, Paula H Hagedorn, Debra Hagedorn, Eva, Erica Schultes, Carol Young, Kathy Hunter, Mary Schumacher and walk leader Dave Petrick...

An old cupboard door, beeswax and a beautiful photograph. It doesn't seem like these items have much in common, but Karess Knudtson puts them together like magic. The environmental education coordinator at the Dickinson County Nature Center spends some of her spare time creating unique works of art that she will display in the eARTh exhibit area at the nature center October-December...

Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) Hospice, Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home and Turner Jenness Funeral Home have teamed up to honor those who have passed away and those that are currently in hospice care by hosting a Walk/Run to Remember 5K event Saturday, Oct. 10...

A fourth-quarter field goal by Sioux Center's Cristian Olivares seemingly sealed Spirit Lake's fate Friday night. As the Warriors' placekicker drilled a 33-yarder to put his squad up two scores with less than 4 minutes remaining in regulation, the previously unbeaten and second-ranked Indians saw flashes of deja vu...

Former four-time prep state qualifier at Okoboji and current Morningside freshman golfer Alex Mankle helped the Mustangs to an early lead in the 2015-16 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) women's golf standings with a first place finish at GPAC Qualifier No. 1 held Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Two Rivers Golf Course in Sioux City...

Since 2008, the Army National Guard has supported military youth of our soldier's families through efforts of the Child & Youth Program. Recently, the Child & Youth Program has combined efforts in providing a quality camp experience with Camp Foster YMCA of the Okobojis, located in Spirit Lake...

A fire in the home is the biggest disaster threat to American families, more of a risk than floods, hurricanes or tornadoes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half...

The Iowa Lakes volleyball team bookended a rough weekend tournament with a pair of victories this past week, as Iowa Lakes topped NIACC Wednesday and Dordt JV Monday while going 1-3 at a tournament hosted by Iowa Western on Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday, the Lakers earned a four-set victory over Trojans. After falling 25-22 in the opening stanza, Iowa Lakes won 25-21, 25-13 and 27-25 to seal the match victory...

The Iowa Lakes women's soccer squad hosted Buena Vista University on Wednesday night in Spencer, and the contest ended in a 3-3 tie. "This was a great game for us," Iowa Lakes coach Kevin Mahlan said. "This shows the girls that we can play with the larger teams and gives us confidence going forward."...

Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire dominated Remsen-Union from start to finish Friday night, as the Titans picked up a 58-7 road win over the Rockets. Quarterback Michael Girres had another stellar night, rushing for 174 yards and four scores on 14 carries, completing 4 of 6 passes for 61 yards and a score, hauling in a 9-yard reception and returning a kick off 75 yards for a touchdown...