Stories from Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Buena Vista University (BVU) has been named to the 2016 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The university earned honors with distinction in the general community service category, honor roll with distinction in interfaith community service, honor roll for education community service and honor roll for economic opportunity service...

"KIB seeks to foster positive values in younger generations and reinforce them in older generations. We encourage respect for home, neighborhood, community and state," said Gerry Schnepf, KIB Executive Director. "KIB serves as a key resource for educating youth on the importance of environmental stewardship and community betterment."...

Eight high school choirs are joining forces to create wonderful music together at the Heartland Honor Choir being hosted by Iowa Lakes Community College. Singers from Boyden-Hull, Estherville-Lincoln Central, Graettinger-Terril, Ruthven-Ayrshire, West Bend-Mallard, Clay Central-Everly, Newell-Fonda, South O'Brien and Pocahontas Area will be part of the mass choirs of over 150 singers...

Three Okoboji Middle School band students have been selected to participate in the 49th annual Northwest Iowa Junior High/Middle School Honor Band Festival. On Saturday, Oct. 15, more than 330 seventh- and eighth-grade students from 38 northwest Iowa schools auditioned for a position in two honor bands. Approximately 190 students were chosen. These selected students will perform in a concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Storm Lake High School...

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, members of the Spirit Lake High School Key Club and the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis joined together to do their annual project of cleaning up the Spirit Lake trails. "We feel this is a great service project for our club as so many people receive a lot of enjoyment from our beautiful trails system," Key Club President John Hight said...

Estherville Lincoln Central FCS teacher Leslie Reiter credited Judi Hoffman of the Estherville's Elk lodge with an excellent job lining up a drug awareness tour for the Estherville and Spirit Lake schools on Oct. 20. Ray Lazano started the day with elementary school students talking about the effects of tobacco. The students who were very enthusiastic and full of energy were eager to answer questions and give information...

The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue and the Arnolds Park Police department have purchased five automated external defibrillators (AED) to place in each of the Arnolds Park Police Department's squad cars. Automated external defibrillators are used to shock the irregular and deadly heart rhythms associated with cardiac arrest victims. If an automated external defibrillator is used soon enough and in combination with early CPR, it can save lives...

The Iowa Navy Commodores welcomed IGL Construction into the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting Wednesday, Oct. 19. The company formed in October 2014. Since then, it has been developing homes in Spencer and at Pelican Ridge in Arnolds Park. IGL has 12 homes available for sell at Pelican Ridge. The average cost of a home ranges between $200,000 to $240,000. For more information, visit iglconstruction.com or call 712-584-2537...

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) on Oct. 17 announced a new joint initiative with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) that should reduce the impact of reported foodborne illness in Iowa. "These departments have joined forces to establish a statewide one-call system Iowans can use to report illnesses associated with food poisoning," said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. ...

There are many traditions associated with autumn, including visits to pumpkin patches, apple orchards and fall farmers markets. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to check the labels of apple cider containers to ensure the product is pasteurized. Unpasteurized cider can contain cryptosporidiosis ("crypto"), salmonella or E. coli. All of these bacteria can be dangerous to the very young and those who are immune-compromised...

On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis Club presented past president Brent Harris with a Zeller Award. The Zeller award is a $1,250 donation, in Harris' name, to the Kiwanis International Eliminate Project. This donation will save 694 children and women's lives from the threat of maternal/neonatal tetanus...

Northwest Bank has been awarded a 2016 "Top Workplaces" honor by the Des Moines Register. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, a research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement...

Northwest Ag Supply is has announced Dan Conroy as its new agronomist/plant nutritionist and Skylar Reed as its new sales agronomist. Conroy joins the Northwest Ag Supply team with many years of experience in the agriculture industry. Originally from Jefferson, the Iowa State University traveled around the Midwest for 19 years doing research centered around plant nutrition for universities such as Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University and the University of Illinois. ...

Trail of Terror is concluding its 23rd year at 7 p.m. Oct. 28-30. Trail of Terror is considered the Twin Cities largest Halloween event with more than 2.5 miles of scares -- indoors and out. Returning to the Trail of Terror is the zombie paintball. Humanity has been compromised by the viral outbreak of the ZN2 disease. Attendees must recruit their friends to save Terror Town from the apocalyptic spread of the afflicted...

Q: Why are you co-sponsoring a bill to reform delivery of mental health services? A: Although we are making important strides in this country to end a stigma tied to mental illness, there is broad agreement that we still have work to do to close the gap between mental health illness and mental health services...

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...

On behalf of the American Red Cross, we wish to express our deep appreciation and say "thank you" to every donor, volunteer and support person who participated in the Oct. 17 blood drive in Spirit Lake. A special thanks go to Grace Lutheran Church for providing a wonderful place for this to happen and a big "thank you" goes to Hy-Vee for the fabulous cookies they provided...

October is designated as National Fire Protection month. We want to remind you to check your homes and business for possible fire hazards. Also, please take time to check your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and to change the batteries in the detectors. This should be done twice a year...

Webster's definition of anarchy: "A situation of confusion and wild behavior in which people in a country, group, organization, etc. are not controlled by rules or laws." This is in sharp contrast to our history as a democratic republic of holding fair and honest elections and the loser acknowledging and supporting the winner...

Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual banquet and fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Arnolds Park Roof Garden. The evening schedule will include various games and raffles, culminating with the auction of exclusive artwork, outdoor gear and household items. ...

On Oct. 18, the Dickinson County Supervisors hosted a brief ceremony attended by courthouse staff honoring the late David A. Gottsche, who was chairman of the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors. A commemorative plaque was presented to David's wife, Peg, and their two daughters, Emily and Jennifer. The plaque, was paid for privately by the four supervisors and was hung on the courthouse corridor wall adjacent to the Community room...

The Dickinson County Conservation Board has been awarded a grant of $71,500 from the Resource Enhancement and Protection, commonly referred to as REAP. REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect Iowa's natural and cultural resources. Twenty percent of REAP is set aside for grants to county conservation for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management...

Corbin Duane Markley, 25, of Milford, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 11:32 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at 2408-35 25th Center Lake Village in Spirit Lake. Michael David Hansen, 50, of Spirit Lake, was charged with drunkenness at 2:57 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Ithaca Avenue in Spirit Lake...

The Mid America Music Association of Iowa would like to thank all the generous sponsorships from Estherville businesses and sponsors from Spirit Lake for their generosity that made the first ever MAMA event a success. The Northwest Iowa Representatives of MAMA are Tom Golden, Ron Lefever, John Walz, Jackie Hein, Connie Siebenbrurer and Carolyn Walz...

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced the first West Nile virus death in Iowa since 2010, an elderly (81 years of age and older) individual from northwest Iowa. Testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) has confirmed 33 cases of West Nile virus in Iowa, with several more under investigation. This is more than double the number of cases reported last year at this time...

The Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the district office. A tentative agenda will include: approving the minutes of the last meeting, treasurer's report and bills, reviewing the mail, approving cost share applications, amendments and vouchers, receiving NRCS and district reports, old and new business and planning for the next meeting. ...

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)...

The Rolling Oaks Barn in Okoboji will hold a Boo Bash for children from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. The event is free to the public. The Rolling Oaks Barn is also having a Halloween Party at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. The party will feature live music, wicked brews and scary good treats. Contact stephanie@rollingoaksbarn.com to get your business involved in passing out treats, hosting an activity and networking with area families...

Friends of Lakeside Lab invites the public to welcome the second finalist for the executive director position at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and Regents Resource (ILLRRC) from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Waitt Building. Community members will have the opportunity to visit with the candidate and learn about her vision for the future of the lab. This public meeting will be one part of a day-long interview for the finalists...

Volunteers from the community will be gathering at the new Lakes Area Dog Park location at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, to put up the rest of the fence and moving benches, etc. into place. The park is located on the south campus of the Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp. The address is 21729 155th Street, Spirit Lake...

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the 37th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Hedberg Theater located in the Maritime Museum in Arnolds Park. Event chairs, volunteers, and community members are invited to this fun and informal meeting to plan this northwest Iowa tradition. Anyone who would like to host a new event -- or donate time and talent to an existing one -- is encouraged to attend...

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. ...

Okoboji Christian Women's Prayer Connection will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Dream Center in Spencer. This is a time of fellowship, prayer for others and finalizing plans for the silent auction luncheon on Nov. 19 at the Okoboji Bible Conference. ...

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. ...

Okoboji Ladies Night Out will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Outrigger Kazarelli's in Okoboji for fellowship, prayer,and planning for the upcoming meeting at the Okoboji Bible Conference Grounds in Arnolds Park on Nov. 18. Everyone will pay for their own meal. For more information, you may call Peg at 712-330-2227. Ladies Night Out is a non-denominational group that meets monthly April through November for the working woman and others who have responsibilities during the day...

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. ...

Dickinson County will offer the ornamental and turf grass applicators continuing instruction course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Dickinson County Expo Center. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) team. ...

Dress as a gangster or silent screen star! Come as a flapper or come as you are! Join the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation, for "Crime and Punishment," a 1920s-themed murder mystery experience, to be held at "The Shores of Five Island" community center in Emmetsburg on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11. Social begins at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m...

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's (R-IA) regional directors will hold traveling office hours in November and December across all 99 counties in Iowa. Representatives from Senator Ernst's office will be available in counties throughout the state to assist Iowans with problems or questions about eligibility involving issues like Social Security, veterans' benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Senator Ernst will not be at the traveling office hours...

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. ...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

A pair of Iowa Great Lakes business leaders were honored Wednesday at the 7th annual Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation Business Recognition Luncheon at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Libby Glaser of Bank Midwest in Spirit Lake was named Young Professional of the Year, while Matt Matthiesen of West O Beer in West Okoboji was selected as Entrepreneur of the Year...

The course offerings have certainly changed in the five decades since Iowa Lakes Community College first opened its doors. The college still prepares students as office specialists and automotive technicians. But today's Iowa Lakes students are also exposed to a world of computer programming and wind turbine technology as well...

It will cost less to keep the air conditioner running in the Dickinson County Courthouse next summer. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors has approved a project to install three 500-gallon tanks under the north side of the courthouse to help supplement energy costs. The tanks will be filled with ice to alleviate the amount of time the building's chiller -- which cools water down for use in the air conditioner -- will have to run during the warmer months...

The regular season finale couldn't have gone much better for Spencer's swim girls. Not only did the Tigers get to host their final double dual of the season at Spencer Family Y, but the team also put up a dominant performance, winning 10 of 11 events and taking the top two spots in three races. The efforts gave Spencer a 66-28 win over Storm Lake and a 73-21 victory over Sioux City Metro...

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, is the fastest growing martial art in the country and one of the world’s most powerful systems of self-defense. Those who have tried Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have stuck with it through the rigorous training regimens hold BJJ in the highest regard...

The Iowa Lakes volleyball team made a pair of trips to Fort Dodge this past week, competing against Iowa Central on Wednesday before returning to compete at a tournament hosted by the Tritons on Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday, the Lakers couldn't get their offense going until late in the third set, helping Iowa Central to a three-set sweep (25-17, 25-13, 25-20)...

According to the Iowa DNR, an estimated 60,000 hunters will take to the field on Saturday to pursue the wily ringneck pheasant. With all of the excitement and in many instances some large hunting parties, the Iowa DNR is sharing this information about hunter safety...

Fall tillage practices, even reduced tillage techniques such as disking and chisel plowing, can eliminate important winter food and cover for many wildlife species in Iowa. According to Todd Bogenschutz, wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, waste grains and crop residue remaining in untilled crop fields following harvest provide important food and cover for species such as pheasants, quail, partridge, turkey, and deer. ...

In 35 years of fishing all over the Midwest and much of North America, I’ve had the good fortune to get in on some outstanding fishing action for a wide variety of fish. In narrowing that down a bit, I’ve had some memorable days of catching smallmouth bass...

This Saturday begins one of the most anticipated openers in the Hawkeye state: the pheasant opener. Since I was a little kid growing up in South Dakota, I’ve always anticipated the pheasant opener. As a youngster, it was all about going with my dad and several uncles and farmer neighbors. At that time, I got to walk along beside my dad and carry his bagged pheasants...

Spirit Lake advanced to the second round of the Class 3A Region 1 volleyball tournament on Wednesday with a 3-0 sweep of Lakes Conference rival Estherville Lincoln Central. The Indians won 25-22 in the opening stanza before winning 25-14 in set two and salting away the victory with a 25-22 win in the third and final set...

Trailing West Bend-Mallard 20-0 at the half in Friday's season finale, the Titans had a choice to make. Already eliminated from playoff contention, were they going to roll over and limp to a loss, or were they going to end their season on a high note? True to form, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire came out in the second half like a team possessed, outscoring the host Wolverines 36-6 to cap the year with an incredible comeback victory...

Spirit Lake's up-and-down season ended with a loss Friday night, as the Indians' fell 25-7 on the road against Bishop Heelan. Following last week's narrow loss to Sergeant Bluff-Luton, the Indians were already eliminated from playoff contention. Coach Josh Bolluyt said he was proud of the way his team continued to compete against the Crusaders despite knowing it was their final game...

While the Pioneers couldn't finish their season with a win at Hinton on Friday, they definitely earned some style points in a 50-15 loss to the Blackhawks. Trailing by a wide margin late in the contest, senior Matt Eckard returned a Hinton fumble 64 yards for a score. But the highlight of the night came on the ensuing two-point conversion, as senior lineman Riley Anderson pounded his way into the end zone — á la William "The Refrigerator" Perry — sending the Okoboji faithful into a frenzy...

After earning a first-round win over Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire early last week, Harris-Lake Park's postseason run came to an end with a 3-0 road loss to George-Little Rock on Monday night. The Wolves lost 25-18, 25-13 and 25-21. "I believe we battled hard last night, as it showed in the first half of game one and most of game three," H-LP coach Daryl Meyer said. "When we could control the serve-receive part of the match, we are equal to George-Little Rock. I thought Cheyenne (Nelson) came in and did her job that we ask for filling in as a middle. ...

Okoboji is one-and-done in the postseason following a 3-1 loss to Boyden-Hull in round two of the Class 2A Region 3 volleyball tournament on Monday night. The Pioneers fell behind 2-0 to the Comets following a 25-18 Boyden-Hull win in game one and a 25-13 win in game two...

Spirit Lake's volleyball season came to an end Tuesday night, as the 10th-ranked Indians fell in four to unranked East Sac County in round two of the Class 3A Region 1 volleyball tournament. The Indians got out to a hot start, jumping out to a 5-0 lead before winning the opening set 25-23. However, they couldn't maintain momentum from their win, as East Sac County won 25-18 in set two, 25-23 in set three and 25-12 in the fourth and final set...

Several area runners punched their tickets to Fort Dodge this past week, as four individuals and one team will compete at the state cross country meet on Saturday. Spirit Lake's Kourtney Delperdang, Aidan Bauermeister and Mason McCaffery will compete in Class 3A, while Okoboji's Ethan Bauermeister will compete individually in 2A and the Pioneer girls will run as a team at Lakeside Golf Course after their runner-up finish on Thursday...

Harris-Lake Park coach Lane Gunderson has seen almost every iteration of Wolves football. He was a spectator in the '70s and played in the '80s. He witnessed as dwindling participation numbers forced a co-op with Spirit Lake in the '90s. And for the past 16 years, he oversaw the rebuilding process as a coach...

SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM SELF STORAGE UNIT Landlord, Smith StoneWorks, LLC, will be selling/disposing personal property including goods, merchandise, household, and other items currently stored and located at 17th St. & N- Ave and 10th St. and Q- Ave, Milford, Dickinson County, Iowa...