Stories from Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Parks Marina in Okoboji and Upper Des Moines Opportunity have teamed up for the eight consecutive year to launch Boat Loads of Toys; an effort to provide Christmas toys and clothing to youth in need throughout Dickinson County. Parks Marina's Boat Loads of Toys has donated nearly $20,000 in toys and clothing that have been distributed by Upper Des Moines Opportunity, to youth in Dickinson County and surrounding areas...

Winter will arrive sooner than we think, and Black Hills Energy is encouraging everyone to be prepared instead of waiting for the snow to fly. "Like a fireman when the bell rings, Black Hills Energy's winter emergency plans are in place and our employees are ready to respond quickly and effectively when called upon," said Tracy Peterson, vice president of Black Hills Energy's Iowa natural gas operations. ...

Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE) donated $1,000 to the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity toward its new build in Spencer. Cooperative Farmers Elevator's partner Land O' Lakes matched the donation of $1,000. Mario and LeeAnn Rosales along with their five children are the partner family for this home. The family is very involved and dedicated to help build its new home. The Rosales plan to move in later this fall...

Some Iowa Great Lakes Area students closed their textbooks and left the classroom last week to learn about innovations in health care. Area high school students, Spirit Lake's fifth- and sixth-grade science classes, Okoboji Middle School's "Medical Detectives" and automation and robotics classes took a field trip to Lakes Regional Healthcare Wednesday, Oct. 12. The hospital showcased its new Mako robot and Lucas CPR machine during the event...

Wednesday, Oct. 12, was National Farmers' Day, a day to honor and thank the farmers who work tirelessly to provide food for the world. From the food on tables, to the clothes on backs, farmers are the backbones of the United States. In honor of local Iowa farmers, IGL TeleConnect installation technicians delivered over 900 bags of delicious trail-mix to area elevators last week...

The Milford Commercial Club visited 966 Industries. Kevin Frodermann, 966 Industries owner, said that 966 Industries was founded to bridge the gap between low and high volume manufacturing. Specializing in CNC machining, automated inspection and packaging, 966 Industries looks to work with local and regional manufacturers to bring custom flexible solutions for manufacturing to life...

The Spencer Rotary Club has started collecting books for the 2016 Rotary Book Sale set for Wednesday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Clay County Regional Events Center. The 25th annual book sale is expected to feature approximately 30,000 used books ranging from fictional classics to romance novels and nonfiction selections to rare first editions...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Autumn's Center invite the public to a grand opening from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the new regional children's center located at 120 E. 5th Street in Spencer. The former furniture store has been completely renovated to serve the northwest Iowa community in providing specialty care for children ages 0-21. This event is open to the public for a first look at Autumn's Center...

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that 63 Iowa communities have been honored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a Water Fluoridation Quality Award. The number of communities receiving awards is up from 40 last year...

The YMCA core values are youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Through a new partnership with Big Splash, Inc., the Bedell Family YMCA found a program that touches all three aspects at once. Big Splash promotes wellness, recreation, and personal achievement in students with special needs by providing adapted instructional swimming and aquatic therapy in a positive, supportive environment...

Oak Hill Marina is proud to announce two new lines of powersports vehicles now available at their store: E-Z-GO personalized vehicles and Bad Boy Off Road vehicles. Whether you need to make a quick trip to the lake, ride around town, or go to the golf course, E-Z-GO personalized vehicles are considered ideal for quick trips to the lake, trips around town or a visit to a golf course...

All local businesses and individuals interested in contracting or working with the government, from federal to local, are invited to attend the Government Contracting 101 classes through Iowa Lakes Community College and the Center for Industrial Research and Service (Iowa State University). This class will offer a series of talks to help business owners and non-profits fill out the necessary paperwork in order to sell goods or services to a town, city, county, state, or federal government...

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced that her office is seeking Iowa college students and recent graduates for internship opportunities in her Washington, D.C. and Iowa offices for the spring 2017 semester. "An internship in our Iowa or Washington, D.C. ...

All students in 5-12 grade are invited to come to MML for the new Libratory STEM program on Friday, Oct. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. We will be making Frankenstein Robots with the hummingbird kit. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops to the library to program their own robot. MML will be having a Libratory STEM program the third Wednesday of each month. All materials are provided by the library at no cost to the students...

Keep Iowa Beautiful will award five $1,000 to Iowa high school seniors in 2017 in memory of Robert Byers, teacher and environmentalist. Students who plan to enroll in an Iowa college or university to study environmental science, community development, landscape architecture or architecture (historical emphasis) or community planning and sustainability are eligible to apply...

The student of the month program allows faculty members to recognize students for outstanding performance in one or more of the following: Academic excellence; special effort in the classroom activities; concern for learning, positive citizenship, hard work and/or other personal behavior which enhances the general school and classroom atmosphere...

Spirit Lake Middle School eighth-grade student, Shelby Hoff, was recently chosen as the best tenor saxophonist in northwest Iowa and become a member of the Northwest Iowa Middle School Honor Band. The honor band will present a concert Nov. 5 at Storm Lake High School Auditorium. ...

June 2, 1940 -- Oct. 9, 2016 Karlene Mildred Morrow was born June 2, 1940, in Lake Park the daughter of Claud and Mildred (Evans) Kladstrup. She was raised and educated in Lake Park, graduating from Lake Park High School in 1958. Following high school, Karlene attended beauty school...

May 29, 1925 -- Oct. 10, 2016 A visitation was held Friday, Oct. 14 at Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home for Sally Parks. A family service will be held at a later date. Sally was born in Omaha in the middle of the Roaring 20s and she never stopped enjoying life to the fullest. One of her favorite memories of her father Paul Vincent Shirley was his riding a horse through the dining room...

Aug. 1, 1957 -- Oct. 12, 2016 Sherri L. Wedeking, 59, of Milford, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation was one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. The Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

"I never knew this place existed!" Dickinson County naturalists Mary Petersen and Charles Vigdal hear this comment during almost every Hike the Wild program, which takes people to public areas throughout the county. They expect to hear this again as the next program takes people to Diamond Lake on Tuesday, Oct. 25...

Over 70 Milford businesses will be participating in the Trick or Treat event in Milford on Monday, Oct. 31. From 2:30-5 p.m., children can visit the participating businesses to receive a Halloween treat of candy. Participating businesses will have an orange pumpkin in their window signifying that they are participating in the fun afternoon. The participating businesses include:...

The 26th annual Iowa Lakes Community College Jazz Festival is set for Thursday, Oct. 27. Featured this year will be Andy Hall, jazz professional on the bass. Hall is a professional bassist on both the acoustic and electric bass. He finds his favorite style of music, jazz, most challenging. ...

Spencer Main Street is gearing up for the second annual ZombieWalk with proceeds benefiting The Shayla Bee Fund. Shayla Bee is funded to help responsible, working class families with a child in medical crisis. Founded in 2007 they have helped more than 110 families...

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin another phase of work on Center Lake this fall to improve habitat and water quality on the 257-acre lake southwest of Spirit Lake. Project partners began the restoration project in 2013 by installing a series of urban conservation practices including bio-swales, rain gardens and other low impact development practices in the watershed to slow rainwater and filter out sediments and nutrients. ...

The American Red Cross is asking every household in America to take some simple steps that can help prevent home fires and save lives. "Home fires can be a deadly threat because they happen so quickly," said Leslie Schaffer, regional executive director for the Red Cross Iowa Region. "National Fire Prevention Week is a perfect time for Iowans to learn what they should do to prevent a fire in their home."...

Heather Marie Wolff, 21, was booked into Dickinson County Jail on a third-degree burglary charge at 2:50 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Madisyn Alyssa Hansen, 20, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on an outstanding warrant at 11:39 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15...

The local girl and boy scouts had the honor of meeting U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley on Oct. 15. The scouts assisted at an awareness event for the Dickinson County C.A.R.E.S. at which Senator Grassley spoke. CARES is a support and advocacy group for victims of domestic violence. ...

The Okoboji Foundation introduced the 25 area high school students participating in the seventh year of Youth in Philanthropy (YIP). The young community leaders were seated under the stage lights in Lauridsen Theatre at Pearson Lakes Art Center on Oct. 12 to celebrate their Youth in Philanthropy grant for a vital capital project to replace the theatre roof...

There is an intersection that some say doesn't exist. Others say these roads have no business intersecting, they are too far apart. And there are others that bury their heads in their devices, refusing to pay attention to either road they are on. These roads meet at the intersection of farming and traffic safety. Whichever road you drive on it's safe to say this intersection does exist. But we would argue these roads don't have to be mutually exclusive...

Do you remember learning to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in Sunday school as a small child, and the last line, "We are weak, but He is strong?" Exodus 15:2 states, "The Lord is my strength and song and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him." (KJV)...

Back to school shopping this year brought sticker shock for families in Iowa and elsewhere. This wasn't over pencils and notebooks but a life-saving device that kids with severe allergies have to have available at all times. The EpiPen cost has jumped more than 400 percent since 2007. Paying as much as $600 per product is a lot of money, especially considering families like one in Polk City, Iowa, with four kids who need EpiPens...

If storm or flood damage ever hits your home and you need a professional for cleanup or repairs, here are some tips to help you find the right contractor. Iowa law provides certain consumer protections to Iowans, particularly those who agree to purchase goods or services offered door-to-door...

October has been designated "Good Neighbor Month." During the month of October the Good Neighbor Fund will be collecting funds to support non-profit agencies in our community. The good work of these agencies helps enhance the lives of others. The Good Neighbor Fund has provided funding for local charities since 1958. ...

The Dickinson County Republican Headquarters, located at 2308 Enterprise Avenue and Highway 71, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through Election Day on Nov. 8. Information on candidates, yard signs and get out the vote friends will be on hand to assist anyone who stops in...

Republican women will have their traditional "Pancakes and Politics" meal at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the O'Farrell Sisters Restaurant. Iowa's National Committee woman, Tamara Scott, will speak at the event.

Okoboji Christian Women's Connection will have a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Okoboji Bible Conference Grounds in Arnolds Park. Bonnie Neisess will be the speaker with her talk "The Ultimate Treasure." Special feature will be Kelly Schatz from Hey, Good Cookies! Bill Lauritsen will provide music for the day. ...

A turkey dinner will be served from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. The meal will include mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, dressing, beans, corn, salads, cranberries, dinner roll, pie and beverage. The cost of the meal is $10 for adults and $4 for anyone under 12 years of age. Carry-out meals are also available. The event is open to the public...

The Friends of Lakeside Lab annual meeting will be held from 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Lakeside Lab Dining Hall located at 1838 Highway 86. Social time begins at 6 p.m. Supper and a brief program follows at 6:30 p.m. The event is a way to celebrate another great year at Lakeside Lab and welcome Lakeside's newest Friends board members. ...

Dickinson County Recorder Ann Ditsworth reminds owners of ATVs, ORVs, and Snowmobiles that it is time
to complete their annual registration renewals. Renewals completed prior to Dec. 31 will avoid a $5 penalty; 2017 Snowmobile trail permits are also available. Payments may be made via cash, check or credit card. Stop in to the recorder's office at the courthouse to complete your renewals today...

On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22, SLMS Builder's Club and SLHS Key Club members will be going door to door in the town of Spirit Lake for donations, "Trick or Treat for Eliminate," to help with Kiwanis International Foundation world-wide project to "Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus."...

The United Methodist Church in Lake Park will host a Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the church. Coffee will be served from 9-10:30 a.m. A meal will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu includes scalloped potatoes, calico beans, green beans, coleslaw, potato chips, dinner rolls, homemade pies and beverages. The cost of the meal is $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12. Anyone five and under eat for free...

The family of Rev. Charles D. Gilbert invites the public to an open house in honor of his 50 years of pastoral ministry. The open house is from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. Calvary United Methodist is the church where Gilbert was ordained in 1996...

Come join Okoboji Christian Women's Connection on Sunday, Oct. 23, for an afternoon of whimsical fun, music, stories, tea and food at the Okoboji Conference grounds from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Gowns and tiaras are welcome but not required. Tea cups will be provided or you can bring one of your own for a chance to win a prize. ...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dickinson County office will offer the mosquito/public health pest management continuing instruction course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Thursday, Oct. 27. The program is offered at office locations across Iowa through the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)...

Please join Iowa Lakes Community College celebrating 50 years of "Your Community, Your College!" The 50th anniversary celebration will be held the evening of Oct. 29 at the SERT Facility, which is located at 2421 7th Avenue South on the Estherville Campus. ...

Camille Smith will present to a talk titled "Failing Sunday School" to the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, Oct.23, at the Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji. Smith lived in Okoboji full time until she was 10 years old when her parents sold their farm, and the family moved away. ...

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Iowa invites the public to a coffee and presentation on the Spiritual Needs of Children, how to share the Gospel with boys and girls and ways to reach children for Christ. Join organizers from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 1, at the Spirit Lake Public Library, 702 16th Street. This event is for Pastors, AWANA workers, Sunday school teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone who cares about children. For more information, call Beth at 712-274-6217...

Glenn Henriksen's final Tuesday Night Variety Party will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Keelson Harbour Senior Communities, 2810 Aurora Avenue in Spirit Lake. Henriksen, an accomplished, versatile pianist and organist began piano lessons at age seven and continued through high school. ...

An upcoming presentation at the Clay County Heritage Center will explore the causes of the Great Depression, the trying times and hardships faced as well as local businesses that thrived during a "moneyless" time. Once the presentation is complete, the class is invited to view the new Great Depression exhibit in the Dvergsten Gallery to witness and interpret artifacts for themselves. ...

Come to Milford Memorial Library at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, to see Richard Poole "Dr. Balthazar" present on the development of American medicine shows from colonial times to present. Poole will also demonstrate devices and tactics used by the 19th century medicine men as they plied their wares. ...

The fifth-annual free veteran's soup supper will be served after the 4:40 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Nov. 5. Doors open at 5 p.m. Guests will have their choice of chicken noodle (homemade noodles) or chili soups along with crackers, dessert bars and beverages. ...

The Morning Users Group (MUG) meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in the Black Box Theater of the Sami Center at the Spirit Lake High School. This group of beginner and experienced computer users discusses the latest trends in computer technology and how to solve problems brought by the users. ...

The 2016-17 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. Application will be taken from Oct. ...

A Bible study on 1 John meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday in the community room at the Arnolds Park City Hall. All are welcome to the non-denominational group of ladies who learn more about the Bible and get to know and pray for each other. For more information, call 712-330-0671...

Harris-Lake Park Community School District Superintendent Dennis Peters greets students each morning as they walk through the middle school/high school doors to start the day. He said he also visits with students as they eat breakfast in the cafeteria and as they wait for first period to begin...

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said concerns about industry rules and regulations inspired her recent trip to northwest Iowa. The Iowa Republican commented on the role of government regulations in business and the presidential election on Oct. 18 during a Spirit Lake stop at Rembrandt Foods, an egg producer and ingredient supplier. The visit was part of Ernst's 99-county tour across the state...

Dickinson County Attorney Jon Martin has filed additional charges, and a Spirit Lake man accused of shooting his next door neighbor now has a trial date. Martin thinks 54-year-old Scott Sidles fired his .22-caliber pistol in the direction of his neighbor "with the intent to cause the death of another person and not under circumstances which would justify his actions," according to trial information that charges him with attempted murder...

The Iowa Lakes women’s volleyball team traveled to Council Bluffs to play in the Iowa Western Invitational over the weekend. The team went 1-3, losing to Pratt Community College (19-25, 23-25, 25-27), Central Community College (21-25, 17-25, 17-25), and Colby Community College (12-25, 14-25, 22-25), and defeating Southeastern Community College (25-22, 25-22, 26-24)...

Wednesday afternoon pitted two teams ranked in the top 20 by the NJCAA, as No.18 Iowa Lakes hosted No. 3 Iowa Western in an ICCAC battle that found the hosts coming up short in the end. The scoring began just before halftime, as the Reivers put one past the Iowa Lakes defense. The second half proved to be more exciting, as the Reivers scored three more goals with the Lakers scoring a pair of goals themselves courtesy of sophomore, Freddy Fragozo...

The ICCAC released its men's soccer Player of the Week honors for this week with the Lakers placing both a player and a goalkeeper on the list. Freshmen, Bigirimana Omari and Ollie Harrison, were both awarded Player of the Week honors for their performance in both the shut-out win against No. 3 Marshalltown Community College and the 2-1 win against Hawkeye Community College...

After coaching the Iowa Lakes Community College men's and women's golf program for seven years, Andy Soper is saying goodbye to a job he’s truly enjoyed.  During his tenure, Soper has coached 12 national qualifiers. He has had three All-Americans, two Second Team All-Americans, and one honorable mention All-American...

Love fall color? Plant some for yourself with a fall color seedling packet from the DNR State Forest Nursery. October kicks off another year of special seedling packets. This month's features species with rich fall color and includes 50 bonus seedlings...

Halloween is just around the corner, and one animal associated with this holiday is the bat. Because bats are secretive and active only at night, people don’t understand and are afraid of them. Bats are one of the world’s most interesting animals. Bats are the only mammals (animals with fur) that are true flyers. Flying squirrels can glide from tree to tree, but could never fly across a lake. There are 1,000 different kinds of bats in the world. In fact, 25 percent of all mammals are bats (1 out of 4).  Bats are not flying mice. They are more closely related to YOU than to rodents. Bats come in all sizes- as small as a bumblebee or with a large 6 foot wingspan.. ...

From now until the lakes freeze over, crappies can, in many bodies of water across the Midwest and elsewhere, be found in deep water. In some lakes, they might be in 30 feet of water right on the bottom, in other lakes deep they might be in 15 feet of water. It depends on the lake or reservoir or pond that you’re fishing. The key is, find the crappies and they will be willing to eat your bait...

Not long ago, we took a close look at pheasant numbers and what our pheasant season might be here in northwest Iowa. Pheasants Forever puts together a 2016 Pheasant Hunting Forecast for all of the states. Here is what their report has to say in general and then specifically about neighboring states in the Midwest...

The U14 soccer traveling team, part of the Bedell Family YMCA programs, fought hard and garnered second place in the Silver Bracket at the Galaxy Cup Soccer Tournament in Spencer Oct. 8-9. The first match was against Dakota Alliance Soccer Club under a sunny sky with chilly morning temperatures and a dew-soaked pitch. The Dickinson County United team prevailed over the challengers from South Dakota 5-1...

Spirit Lake senior Macy Smith was recently selected to the 2016 Iowa Girls Coaches Association Senior All-Star Volleyball Team. Smith finished the regular season with 341 kills, 39 aces, 192 digs and 72 blocks this year. She is one of 32 senior girls selected to this year's team...

Spencer's girls swim crew headed south Saturday for the Melissa Fender Memorial Invitaional hosted by Lewis Central. The Tigers tallied 203 team points to place fourth in the six-team meet. Carroll edged Spencer by just 5.5 points while Lewis Central (259) and Atlantic (255.5) battled it out for the top two spots. Sioux City Metro (152) and the conglomerate of Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, Saint Albert and Thomas Jefferson (91) took the fifth and sixth place positions...

Harris-Lake Park advanced in the Class 1A Region 1 Volleyball Tournament Tuesday night with a straight-set win over Dickinson County rival Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire. The Wolves shook off some rust and held strong against a relentless Titan attack in the first two sets before salting away the win with a dominant performance in the third. After starting the season 4-10, the Wolves have come on strong in the last month, going 17-5...

The Okoboji volleyball team dropped a pair of games to end the regular season this past week. The Pioneers fell to West Lyon on the road on Tuesday, Oct. 11, before dropping a home contest with Sheldon on the following Thursday. Against the Wildcats, Okoboji fell 25-16 in the opening frame before losing 25-2 in set two and 25-7 in the third and final set...

After falling to Le Mars last week, the 10th-ranked (3A) Spirit Lake volleyball team reeled off six straight wins to finish the regular season with a 29-8 regular season record and a 5-2 mark in the Lakes Conference. The Indians got their win streak started on Tuesday, Oct. 11 with a 3-1 road win over Estherville Lincoln Central...

THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT DICKINSON COUNTY Probate No. ESPR014261 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR, AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE OF DAVID L. SHUMWAY, Deceased To All Persons Interested in the Estate of David L. Shumway, Deceased, who died on or about the September 6,2016:...

In a see-saw battle for the second playoff spot in the district, Sergeant Bluff-Luton outlasted Spirit Lake 19-18 on Friday night, slashing the Indians' postseason aspirations. The Indians struck first and held a six-point halftime lead, but the Warriors gained the advantage twice in the second half. ...

Still struggling with injuries, the Okoboji football team dropped a lopsided road trip to Alta-Aurelia on Friday night, as the Pioneers fell 43-6 to the Warriors. Bad turned to worse before the game, as the Pioneers lost star linebacker Juan Rubiano to a pre-game groin injury...

Despite stiff winds, bad breaks and a stifling Titan defense, fourth-ranked Harris-Lake Park ground out a 19-14 road victory over Dickinson County rival Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire on Friday night. With the win, the Wolves remained unbeaten on the year and clinched at least a share of the District 1 championship while knocking the Titans out of playoff contention...

A pair of court filings before the end of the month will help Judge David Lester decide whether to uphold Lee Christensen's murder conviction -- or order a new trial. Attorneys in the case returned to the Emmet County Courthouse on Tuesday for a hearing to clarify the way each of the 12 jurors arrived his or her verdict...

Courtney Bolluyt was driving along 240th Avenue on the west side of Big Spirit Lake with her husband on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 13, when she spotted something large in the water. At first she thought it was a moose or caribou, but then her husband informed her it was an elk. The physician assistant and her husband turned their vehicle around and watched as the animal swam to shore and crossed the road toward Sunken Lake...