Stories from Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Youth soccer players from the Midwest have traveled to the Iowa Great Lakes Area for more almost four decades for a chance to declare themselves champions. The 39th annual University of Okoboji Youth Soccer Classic continues this tradition Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, at the Okoboji High School fields in Milford. The event will host 43 teams...

Citing what he referred to as "racist remarks and judicial jihad" by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Iowa District 1 Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) has suspended his membership in the Republican Party as a means of protesting. Johnson changed his party affiliation to independent - or no party - on Iowa's primary election day Tuesday...

Some Vietnam War veterans from the Iowa Great Lakes Area are one last mission -- a mission of brotherhood. Merle Dodds of Arnolds Park purchased a collection of medals at the flea market near the Expo Center on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds around a year ago. They belonged to a Green Beret who served in Vietnam...

Republicans in Iowa's sprawling 4th Congressional District have chosen outspoken conservative Rep. Steve King over a state senator. King won the primary election Tuesday over state Sen. Rick Bertrand, who had argued that voters were tired of the seven-term congressman's brash statements on topics ranging from immigration to abortion...

Shane Bush emerged from a three-way race and has the Republican nomination for the District 3 seat on the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors. Bush, a former bank executive and farmer from Milford, earned 69 votes to finish ahead of Don Olsen (30 votes) and Terry Adams Sr. (13 votes) for the Republican nomination...

State and federal officials say they are ready to resume inspections at facilities where employees handle eggs in Iowa. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture began checking facilities on June 1. The decision comes a year after avian flu decimated egg-laying populations in the Midwest...

At least once a week John Tonsfeldt explores the outdoors and observes the fauna at WildWood Nature Preserve. The Spirit Lake resident has spent the past 25 years studying a wide-range of animals, from wood ducks to deer, across the 200-acres land. He will share his experiences at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12, within the event center at the preserve. The event is free to the public...

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed Twetten's Interior Design to its new location at 1621 Hill Avenue in downtown Spirit Lake with a ribbon cutting. The interior design firm sells furnishings for homes and conducts special decorating orders. Owners Teresa Truog and Sarah Larson moved from their old location on Highway 9 earlier this year and opened on April 1. For more information, call 712-336-6488...

A Sibley man was charged with failure to yield upon making a left turn following a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon along Highway 71 in Spirit Lake. Spirit Lake Police say 27-year-old Daniel Anthony Rust was attempting to go east onto 36th Street from a turning lane for southbound traffic on Highway 71. ...

Morgan Paulson, 19, of Milford, was charged with shoplifting at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at 2200 17th Street in Spirit Lake. Michelle Nicole Holmes, 31, of Spirit Lake was charged with child endangerment and driving while under the influence at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at 36th Street and Pinewood Drive in Spirit Lake...

On June 2, representatives of the Okoboji Foundation grant committee and nonprofit recipients celebrated awards of $204,630 to make a lasting positive impact in the Lakes Community. "The primary focus of improvement on Monument Drive is a new drainage system recognized by USEPA as a best practice for storm water infiltration for runoff into West Lake Okoboji," Arnolds Park Mayor Jim Hussong said. ...

Growing up along the waters of West Lake Okoboji, Aubrey LaFoy had a strong affection for boats. The well-known area history columnist had written six books when his friend Don Oleson of Arnolds Park enticed him to write a book specifically about the steamboats and their rich history in the Lakes Region. Book seven is entitled "Smoke Over the Waters of the Iowa Great Lakes."...



Iowa State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald has a list that may add money to your pocket. He is releasing the top 10 unclaimed properties in Dickinson County. "I encourage all Iowans to check their local newspaper for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt list that will be published soon," Fitzgerald said. ...

The Bedell Family YMCA is offering on-demand video tutorial fitness classes. The sleek, new touch pad at the front desk and the large flat screen TV in the fitness studio will give YMCA users more fitness options than ever before. The YMCA will begin offering Fitness On Demand in June...

(((SUBHEAD))) IOWA LAKES PLANS LOESS HILLS TRIP Join Iowa Lakes for a day trip of discovery on Tuesday, June 21. Escape from the hustle and the bustle of everyday life and finally spend some time in serenity, the Northern Loess Hills. Unique, breathtaking scenery will be experienced while visiting the Westfield Interpretive Center, Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center...

All area youth, in grades 6-12, are welcome to participate in Minecraft Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13-14 at the Spencer Iowa Lakes campus in room 117. The camp will also be held at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9 at the Emmetsburg campus in room 330...

The 12th Annual Lakes Health Conference -- "Takin' Care of Business" is taking place at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Okoboji from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. The June 9-10 conference will focus on a variety of subjects including mental health, strokes, infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, protocols and team building. ...

An evening of food and entertainment is schedule to benefit Colleen Daly of Spirit Lake. The benefit takes place beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15 at Table 316 Steakhouse in Arnolds Park. Daly, a heart transplant recipient, is now slated for a kidney transplant. The food will be served starting at 5 followed at 7 p.m. by entertainment with John Senn and Friends until 9 p.m. A raffle will also be included with all proceeds from the evening going to help defray Daly's mounting expenses...

Often we allow time to give us a reason to ignore our retirement accounts. Economic challenges or changes in employment or family circumstances can mean that a retirement plan needs a tune up. Examples are illness, a housing needs change or relationships change through death, divorce or remarriage. Even changes can occur in your family with the care of your grandchildren...

Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship members will hear Terry Lowman speak about "Redeeming the American Dream" on Sunday, June 12. Lowman's talk is based on his response to a book by Tim Wise, "Under the Affluence." He was born and raised in Ames. ...

Okoboji Christian Women's Connection will have a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Okoboji Bible Conference Grounds in Arnolds Park. "Adventures in Moving" will be the talk given by Karen Mitchell of Breezy Point, Minnesota; along with her special feature "Welcome to my Home." The Ukulele Ladies from the area will provide special music. ...

Okoboji Ladies Night Out will have a catered dinner at a cost of $10 at the Okoboji Bible Conference at 6 p.m on Tuesday, June 14. Karen Mitchell of Breezy Point, Minnesota will be the speaker for the evening. Ladies Night Out is a non-denominational group that meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the same place and time for 60-90 minutes. ...

Brewster Fun Time Dance is sponsoring a dance from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the American Legion in Brewster, Minnesota. Performers Mark and Len will provided the music for the event. The dance is open to the public and singles and couples are welcome...

The Dickinson County Taxpayers Association will hold its annual meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 10. The meeting will be in the Hedberg Theater of the Maritime Museum at Arnolds Park. Coffee and pastries will be available at 8:30 a.m. Association members and the public are invited to attend...

According to official records -- June is the time to celebrate national "Great Outdoors Month" recognizing it as the start of the summer. Great Outdoors Week started in 1998 and expanded to Great Outdoors Month in 2004. I would hope that every month is "Great Outdoors Month", but, for sake of this article lets go with June...

Q: Why does red tape harm economic growth? A: The crown jewel of our system of free enterprise is America's entrepreneurial spirit. Jumping through regulatory hoops and red tape make it hard to open a business and keep its doors open. The twin combination of a crushing regulatory and tax regime makes it even harder to create new jobs, boost wages and grow the business. ...

Thanks to a change in federal rules, beginning this month fraudulent telemarketers will have fewer ways to take money away from your wallet or bank account and consumers will have greater protections. The new restrictions target telemarketing fraud by banning certain payment methods that don't carry the types of protections for consumers that are guaranteed with credit cards and debit cards. ...

I take seriously the responsibility Iowans have entrusted in me to make our government more competent and less wasteful. With a growing national debt now exceeding $19 trillion, my monthly "Squeal Award" identifies specific areas of government abuse, pork barrel spending and inefficiencies that have proven to be unnecessary and must be cut...

Dickinson County naturalists and American Canoe Association instructor Mark Foss will teach experienced and new kayakers alike safety basics and paddling techniques during the Kick Start Your Kayak classes at 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Monday, June 20. Ages 10 and older may choose from the two class times. Students may bring their own kayaks, paddles and life jackets or may borrow them for the class...

Five concerts will be held during the 36th annual Iowa Lakes Community College Reggie Schive Summer Jazz Camp and the public is invited to attend. The concerts will be from June 20-23 and will feature The Headliners and camp participants. The Headliners include Roger Neumann on saxophone from Los Angeles, Michael Gurciullo on trumpet and vocals from Las Vegas and Omaha, Tony Gulizia on keyboard and vocals from Vail, Colorado, Joey Gulizia, percussion from Omaha, Nebraska; Andy Hall on bass from Lincoln, Nebraska; Scott Hesse on guitar from Chicago, CJ Kocher on saxophone from Vermillion, South Dakota; and Dan Cassady on trombone of Manson.. ...

The Okoboji Summer Theatre is proud to start off its 2016 season with a bang! "Several of the shows are familiar, while others are innovative to provide laughter and original music to bring out a new and different dimension to theatre," said Artistic Director Gail Humphries Mardirosian...

Local jewelry artist Kathy Evert announced today the sixth annual Okoboji Bead and Jewelry Splash will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23 and July 24 at the Dickinson County Community Building. The event is open to the public and admission is $2 at the door...

The Dickinson County Nature Center is planning three summer evenings of family and fun with its new Family Nature Night program. The first in the series will kick off at 6 p.m. Monday, June 13, at the nature center in Okoboji. The Gone Fishin' program will begin in the outdoor amphitheater where naturalists Mary Petersen and Charles Vigdal will talk about how to identify fish you can find in the Iowa Great Lakes. ...

The second-annual Farm Gadget Show is now accepting entries for the 2016 Clay County Fair. During the nine days of the fair, these unique gadgets can be found in and around the Innovation Pavilion in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. "All entries should be something that can be used on the farm," Karen Schwaller, superintendent of the Farm Gadget department, said. "Farmers are some of the most creative people I know."...

June 22 ,1939 -- May 24, 2016 Verde D. "Butch" Blom, 76, of Fairfield died at his home Tuesday morning, May 24, 2016. Cremation is being accorded. A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will be at a later date at Fell Cemetery near Libertyville...

June 27, 1927 -- June 1, 2016 Raymond Earl Nichols, the son of Robert and Lillian Nichols, was born on June 27, 1927 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and passed away on June 1, 2016. He graduated from high school in Pasadena, California. Ray served in the U.S. Navy during WWII...

April 20, 1934 -- March 14, 2016 Leo E. Carlson Jr. age 81 of Sioux City passed away on Monday, March 14, 2016 at a local care facility with his family by his side. A celebration of Leo's life will held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 17, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com...

Oct. 28, 1923 -- May 30, 2016 Florence Mae Janssen, 92, of Arnolds Park died on May 30, 2016, at St. Luke's Nursing Home in Spencer. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake...

Dec. 23, 1923 -- June 2, 2016 Clyde Gerth, age 92, of Spirit Lake died on Friday June 3 at the Hawkeye Care Center in Spirit Lake. Memorial services took place on Tuesday, June 7, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Clyde Edward Gerth was born on Dec. ...

Aug. 22, 1924 -- June 1, 2016 Betty Louise (Barlow) Hart, 91, of Sequim, Washington died Wednesday June 1, at the Sequim Health and Rehab Center from complications of a fall that broke her hip and arm. The memorial will be at a later date. She was born Betty Louise Barlow on Aug. 22, 1924 in Mason City, the daughter of Fred and Marie Barlow. She graduated high school from Los Angeles High School...

Iowa Lakes Community College Students and advisors participated in the National Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America (BPA) on May 4 -- 9 in Boston. Four members from Iowa Lakes were among the 6,000 students, advisors and guests from across the United States participating in the 50th National Leadership Conference...

The Milford Memorial Library is hosting an adult summer craft series from 6-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday this June at the library. The cost to participate in the program is $2 per event. Registration is required. The summer craft series will start on June 8 with adult coloring. Drip cake will be on June 15. Concrete stepping stones will be on June 22. The program will finish with mod-podge flower pots on June 29...

Dan Wardell, host of Iowa Public Television's Kids Clubhouse, will visit at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 at the Lake Park Public Library as part of his summer Reading Road Trip. Now in its 10th year, IPTV's Reading Road Trip features an original, interactive story that is connected to this year's summer library reading theme: "On your mark, get set ... ...

At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Spirit Lake Public Library, Nancy Trask, library director from Winterset Public Library, will present a historical program about the WWII Monuments Men, especially introducing George Stout, who was born and raised in Winterset. Library patrons throughout the state have given rave reviews on this program...

Students who achieved perfect attendance for the fourth quarter of the school year are listed below. Students with an asterisk (*) had perfect attendance for the entire 2015-16 school year: Cainen Boles Kennedy Bryngelson Henry Hintze Emma Perkins Tayten Huff...

A group of local Rotarians participated in their annual spring clean up Wednesday at Shelby Duis Playground located at Elinor Bedell State Park on East Lake Okoboji. In 2001, the playground was built through fundraising efforts of the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club, spearheaded by then IGL Rotarians Alex Den Herder and Reggie Worth...

A total of 295 students were named Roadman Scholars and Dimmitt Scholars at Morningside College in recognition of high academic distinction for the 2015-16 academic year. The list includes sophomore Hanna M. Schoning of Arnolds Park who is a Roadman Scholar in business administration, senior Kaylin A. ...

Treasure Hike Now Open through October -- The self-guided treasure hunt is for explorers of all ages. Pick up a treasure map at Lakeside's main parking lot during daylight hours and explore for hidden creatures and secret messages. Artists-in-Residence Open Studio: Artists Cynthia Brunich-Langlois and Joseph Mougel will show their work, conduct demonstrations and be available for one-on-one questions about their creative projects at 7 p.m. ...

Vicky Siemers, advanced registered nurse practitioner, has joined the Milford Family Care staff to meet the health care needs of area patients. Siemers will provide general family practice, including preventative care, treatment of episodic illness, physicals, chronic disease management and referral to specialists...

Where else but in the Iowa Great Lakes Region can you go to hear some of the best musicians in the three-state area, all playing on the same stage? The bonus question is which night? There are two correct answers: Dick Bauman Big Band on Mondays and Jazzed Up Big Band of Okoboji on Tuesdays...

The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office released additional details about Monday night's crash along Highway 86 near Wahpeton. Emergency responders were paged at 4:31 p.m. Monday to the Edgewood Drive entrance, which takes traffic from Highway 86 to the city of Wahpeton. The crash involved a 2010 Freightliner semi truck and trailer driven by 46-year-old Andre Shaya of Marion, South Dakota and a silver, 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by 20-year-old Melissa Mills of Rochester, Minnesota...