Stories from Tuesday, July 19, 2016

So, the other day I was trying to figure out just how many Poliwag I need to get one to evolve into a Poliwhirl... Just kidding. I am curious about Pokémon Go and might one day download the app. The huffing and puffing I do when I'm bringing in groceries tells me the occasional walk would do me good. ...

Some corn producers in the Iowa Great Lakes Area may be in line for some compensation. Syngenta is being sued over its alleged impact on corn prices throughout the past few years. The class action suit claims the agribusiness failed to receive import approval from China in 2009 for its engineered seed strain Agrisure Viptera. China eventually rejected the corn seed shipment and corn prices fell around the world...

PHOTO BY MATT HEINRICHS Spirit Lake's Keaton Leach celebrates after smacking a double in the Indians' semifinal victory over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley...

Spirit Lake squared off with sixth-ranked Estherville Lincoln Central in Monday's Class 3A district finale. The Indians dominated the Midgets en route to a 9-2 victory, a district championship, and a substate showdown with Bishop Heelan. After their two previous meetings with the Midgets ended in one-run decisions -- one a win and the other a loss -- Spirit Lake wasted no time Monday, plating five runs in the first two innings to take control of the contest...

With one on, one out, and trailing Cherokee by one run in the top half of the seventh inning of Saturday's Class 1A District 2 championship, Okoboji sent Bryce Peter to the dish to represent the go-ahead run. In the face of incredible pressure, the junior laid down a perfect bunt and sprinted down the first base line...

Thursday afternoon's Class 1A district semifinal was a dogfight for five innings, but in the end Central Lyon was able to do just enough to end Harris-Lake Park's season with a 7-4 loss in Hawarden. "I thought it was a really good game, just like we expected it to be," H-LP coach Lane Gunderson said. ...

A seven-run fifth inning was the difference in Thursday night's Class 1A district tournament semifinal matchup between Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire and third-ranked West Sioux. Unfortunately, the Titans came out on the wrong end of on 11-6 contest, ending their season in Hawarden...

The Okoboji eighth-grade girls were runners-up in the Pacesetter Great Four-State Basketball Championship on July 15 in Minnesota, after qualifying by winning the Iowa tournament. Okoboji beat Dupree (South Dakota) 50-33 and Triton 47-39 to reach the finals, where they lost to Minnesota champion Eden Valley-Watkins 35-31...

Dickinson County's smallest towns remained steady and communities along and near Highway 71 continued to see growth, according to July population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Arnolds Park remained the fastest-growing town in Dickinson County since 2010. The city added 108 residents for 8.8 percent growth. Spirit Lake added the most residents -- 201 -- for 4 percent growth...

Family and friends gathered for a memorial service Tuesday morning to pay tribute to longtime Okoboji city clerk and administrator Dennis Daly. Daly was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away Friday at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. He was 61 years old...

Mark Keniston, 27, of Emmetsburg was charged with a first-offense operating while intoxicated, speeding and failure to provide proof of insurance at 11:12 a.m. Thursday, July 14, at 200 1st Street Southwest in Fostoria. A Spirit Lake man was arrested following a traffic stop in Milford on Monday, July 11. ...

Surviving the Holocaust of World War II became a remarkable story of resilience and bravery for Beatrice Karp of Omaha, Nebraska. Karp's daughter Deborah Pappenheimer wrote a book about her mother's experiences entitled "My Broken Doll." Through a grant from Humanities Iowa, the mother and daughter are spending next week in the Iowa Great Lakes Region while the Okoboji Summer Theatre presents "The Diary of Anne Frank."...

The wind will fill the sails of more than 80 boats on West Lake Okoboji at the end of the month, as mariners attempt to navigate their ships to victory. Sailors from nine states will compete in the X Inland Championship Regatta on July 27-30 in the Iowa Great Lakes Area. The Okoboji Yacht Club is hosting the series of races, which will draw members from 50 sailing clubs across the Upper Midwest...

The Spirit Lake Fire Department and Spirit Lake Police Department were on hand after neighbors reported smoke coming from a cottage along Big Spirit Lake. No one was home at 12:45 p.m. Monday when firefighters were paged to 13718 253rd Avenue in Orleans. Spirit Lake Fire Chief Pat Daly said power lines got pulled apart near the cottage, possibly causing an electrical short inside...

Iowa has become a hub for millennials as the job market opens, unemployment rates drop in the state and housing prices drop. An uncommonly-low unemployment rate in northwest Iowa allows for more opportunities for the new generation of workers. The National Association of Realtors published a list in 2014 with the top 10 cities for young homebuyers. The list included areas such as Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Des Moines was ranked third on the list...

A little more than two weeks after the official Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking for the Rosales family home, work began on site where the basement was dug out Monday. The 12th home for the local Habitat organization is being built next to a previous Habitat home on Country Club Lane in Spencer. ...

The Voluntary Action Center partnered with the Dickinson County Endowment Fund to award funds to support the Dickinson County Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers over 10,000 nutritiously-balanced noon meals up to six days per week throughout Dickinson County. The voluntary Action Center has recently recruited volunteers from Spirit Lake High School to deliver Meals on Wheels in the area two days per week...

The Iowa Great Lakes Navy Commodores were on hand to visit Apex Firearms and Ammunation in Fostoria. The business includes sales, training and a shooting range featuring 12 stalls in two bays. Apex is operated by Director of Operations Stacy Newgard and CEO Michelle Newgard. ...

A majority of corn has reached the silking stage, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, who commented on the USDA's Iowa Crops and Weather report. The report is released weekly from April through October. "In general crops remain in good condition with 81 percent of corn and 80 percent of soybeans rated in good or excellent condition," Northey said. ...

(((SUBHEAD))) IOWA LAKES, HY-VEE HOST COOKING CLASS The public is invited to join Iowa Lakes Community College for the Hy-Vee Savvy Kids' cooking Class in Spirit Lake. Kids will join Spirit Lake Hy-Vee Dietitian, Grace Phelon, for a fun-filled and educational cooking class. Kids will tour Hy-Vee, learn how to pick and shop for healthy snacks, as well as prepare super easy snacks that they can recreate at home...

Camp Okoboji is hosting a bus trip to see the Minnesota Twins play the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday July 27. Cost is only $60, and includes transportation, game ticket and snacks. The bus will leave the camp at 12:30 p.m. Game time is 7:10 p.m. Call the Camp Office at 712-337-3325. More information is also available at www.campokoboji.org...

Iowa State Extension and Outreach is offering a new program,"Credit Cards: Keeping them Private and Improve my Score," to help Iowans work toward financial goals. The course meets at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Spirit Lake Public Library. ...

The Iowa Lakes Regional Water Board of Directors will hold its annual membership meeting of Iowa Lakes Regional Water on Thursday, July 21, at the district office located at 1301 38th Avenue West in Spencer. A meal will be served starting at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. The items of business include: manager's report, audit and financial report and election of board members. Members of Iowa Lakes Regional Water are welcome to attend...

The Friends of the Milford Memorial Library's annual book sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 22, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23. The book sale is located in the east side of the Milford Community Center. Milford Memorial Library has been accepting donations of books for the past year and has a wide selection of gently used books for sale. ...

Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church will host its Summer Street Bible School program at 6-8 p.m. on July 27 and Aug. 3, 10 and 17 at Florence Park. The theme for this year's program is: "Heaven is for Real." Each weekly meeting will include a meal from 6-6:30 p.m. followed by a lesson from 6:30-7 p.m. Crafts and closing activities will last until 8 p.m. Lessons are geared toward second through sixth graders, but all grade levels are welcome. There is no registration required...

WildWood Nature Preserve will host a presentation by local geologist Jeff Filkins at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24. Filkins will be discussing the geologic history of this area, including how the Iowa Great Lakes were formed. He will also discuss the geode, Iowa's state rock...

Iowa Lakes will be holding an "I Wonder" day camp for all area students entering into grades 2-5. Students will explore reading, writing, math and science while working interactively with fun projects, games and activities. This is a great opportunity to keep the kids learning all summer long through hands-on experiences. ...

A plant that improves soil health, filters water, is drought-resistant, doesn't need fertilizer and requires little, if any, pesticide use -- sounds perfect, doesn't it? Believe it or not, these plants do exist. They are native plants, from milkweed and spiderwort to wild bergamot and blazing star...

The public is invited to join the Dickinson County Conservation Board for a ride around Iowa's largest natural lake on Saturday, Aug. 13 and stop at four locations to learn about how local people and organizations are making a difference in water quality...

Six thundering dirt events, including a significant change to the fair's tractor pull schedule, will fill the U.S. Cellular Grandstand during the nine days of the 2016 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. "Many fairgoers have great memories attending dirt events at the fair and this year will be no different," fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. "For tractor pull fans especially, the return of the Outlaw Pullers will be a welcome addition."...

With eight No. 1 singles to their credit, Christian music group Selah opens the Okoboji Bible Conference at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 30, in the Tabernacle at 69 West Broadway in Arnolds Park. The non-ticketed, open seating concert launches the annual conference which runs through Sunday, Aug. 7...

On Sunday, July 10, the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District (IGLSD) was notified by the Dickinson County Dispatcher that two residents had called about waste water backing up into their basements. The IGLSD staff received that phone call around 10:35 a.m. ...

Q: What is the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)? A: For two decades I have worked closely with community anti-drug coalitions in Iowa to deploy resources to help drive methamphetamine out of our communities and out of our state. From shutting down international drug trafficking rings to making it harder to obtain over-the-counter ingredients that contribute to hazardous meth labs, rooting out this dangerous, addictive drug remains a high priority among policymakers, prevention and treatment specialists, law enforcement and court authorities in Iowa. ...

At Buena Vista University, we have an obligation to our students to create an environment in which they can learn. As a university we also have an obligation to our faculty and staff to steward the university responsibly. But in our role as an institution of higher learning, we also have a broader obligation to the people of Iowa and beyond. ...

Q: Why does Congress have the power of the purse? A: American taxpayers are well aware how much of their hard-earned money they pay to the U.S. Treasury. It takes a bite out of every paycheck and forces families to make do with less. However, what happens to their money once it gets to Washington raises plenty of eyebrows. ...

The Milford Memorial Library will welcome Spirit Lake Hy-Vee dietitian Grace Phelon as a presenter for the teen summer reading program at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the library. She will be giving a presentation on fruits and vegetables. Guests will be making a smoothie and trying some different fruits...

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has announced it awarded continuing accreditation to the medical assistant program at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer. The recent peer review conducted by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and CAAHEP's Board of Directors, recognized the program's substantial compliance with the nationally-established accreditation standards...

The following students were named to Buena Vista University's dean's list for terms three and four. Students named to the dean's list must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for the semester, based on a 4.0 grade point system, and must have taken at least 12 hours of coursework. Students named were:...

Heather Gudenkauf will speak about her new book, "Missing Pieces," at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the Milford Memorial Library. This program is sponsored by Spirit Lake Public Library, Arnolds Park Public Library and Milford Memorial Library.

With Iowans expected to be spending extra time outdoors over the next few months, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Iowans to take insect repellant along with them to their picnics, concerts, celebrations and fireworks displays to protect against mosquito bites. West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquitoes...

The Humane Society of Northwest Iowa is teaming up with Studio Burn 360 at 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, to offer the public a chance to meet some of the kittens available for adoption. Applications for adoption will be available, and donations are being accepted to help with the costs of vaccinations, spay/neuters and care of the animals at the shelter. There are many other pets available for adoption, too...

Wild Wednesdays: "Pollination: The Bees and the Breeze" will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, in Waitt Lab. Wild Wednesdays are a fun, free, family-orientated program. How do bees pollinate plants? What kinds of plants need pollinated? Come to Wild Wednesday to find out...

Dickinson Soil and Water Conservation District Chair Chris Hoffman has announced that funding will be available for local farmers and landowners to assist in the installation of conservation practices through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) cost-share program. Interested farmers and landowners should contact the Dickinson District Office by calling 712-336-3782, extension 3...

MaxYield Cooperative recently presented Dickinson County Extension and Outreach with a contribution aimed at decreasing the cost of enrollment in 4-H youth programs. "We are continuing our support of local 4-H and our commitment to our youth," said Chad Meyer, MaxYield Client Relations Director. "Recently, we presented a contribution for $10 per 4-H member in order to decrease the cost of 4-H membership."...

Swimming, canoeing and floating down the river on tubes is a summertime tradition in Iowa. But as relaxing and enjoyable as a river float is, it does come with an element of risk. Iowa rivers are dynamic systems in a constant state of change and can hide obstacles just beneath the water surface. Todd Robertson, who is with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Trails program, said river users can enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye downstream to avoid any hazardous surprises...

Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) alumni from the Upsilon Omega chapter of the University of Okoboji Alumnae Association gathered at Rabab's at Brooks for their bi-annual luncheon. Women from KKG chapters in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and California met and enjoyed listening to Drake University KKG alumna and state Rep. Megan Jones speak, reminiscing about their college experiences and learning how to be involved in national KKG activities...

"My goal is providing art for everybody and getting the community involved in accomplishing this," said Bob Kirschbaum, newly-appointed director of the Pearson Lakes Art Center. He focused on the important role that volunteers can play at the organization. In his July 12 address to the Northwest Iowa DAR Chapter, he discussed the value of the arts in everyday life and the special need to give children arts opportunities now that many schools are eliminating arts programs due to funding problems...

Marilyn Milbrath Means, now of Lakefield, Minnesota, is the latest of a number of area Vietnam veterans being thanked for their service during the Vietnam War. She was presented with a pin and certificate specially prepared by the Ladies of the Lake Daughters of the American Revolution at the chapter's July 12 meeting. ...

Aug. 29, 1927 - July 16, 2016 Wallace Hamann of Milford passed away on July 16, 2016. Services will be hellcat 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21, in the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Burial with full military honors takes place at 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake...

Oct. 20, 1968 -- July 9 Randy Scott Appel was born on Oct. 20, 1968, in Windom, Minnesota to Myron and Lorraine (Rehnelt) Appel. He received his education in the Windom Public Schools, graduating in the Class of 1988. He was baptized and later confirmed at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom...

July 30, 1937 - June 11, 2016 Janice Marie Christofferson Zellaha was born July 30, 1937 in Milford to Hartman "Hart" and Alice (Moritz) Christofferson. She graduated from Milford High School. On Oct. 6, 1956, Jan married Virgil Zellaha at Milford. The couple made their home in Spirit Lake where she worked as an operator at Mountain Bell Phone Company. ...

Oct. 29, 1941 -- July 4, 2016 Funeral services were Saturday, July 16, on the Queen II excursion boat for Harry Dean Tuttle of Spencer. The Rev. Russell Muilenburg officiated. A private interment will take place at a later date. Harry Dean Tuttle, the son of Harry and Josephine (Black-Living) Tuttle was born October 29, 1941 in Spencer. He childhood years were spent in the Spencer area where he attended school...

April 28, 1955 -- July 15, 2016 Dennis Daly, age 61, of Milford, passed away July 15, 2016, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake surrounded by his beloved children, family and friends. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 18, at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji...

Feb. 15, 1938 -- July 13, 2016 A funeral service for Arnetta Norland was held on Saturday, July 16, at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka. Burial was at Buffalo Township Cemetery in Titonka. Arnetta Marie Norland was born Feb. 15, 1938, in Pierre, South Dakota, daughter of Delbert and Elva Hall. She grew up in Algona graduating from Algona High School in 1955. She then worked at Druggist Mutual prior to marriage...