Stories from Tuesday, January 17, 2017

District 1 Sen. David Johnson, I-Ocheyedan, District 1 Rep. John Wills and District 2 Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids have a Republican-controlled legislature as they continue work in the 87th General Assembly. "I think it's going to be an aggressive year, that's for sure," Wills said. ...

Roger Wagner (left) energy sales and marketing team leader, presents Jim Unrau with his retirement gift at a coffee held in his honor Jan. 11. Unrau served as an energy solutions specialist in MaxYield’s west region. Unrau joined MaxYield when the northwest Iowa locations formerly owned by The Andersons, Inc. were acquired by the local cooperative May 1, 2016. His last day at MaxYield was Jan. 11...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on Jan. 11 announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting applications for grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The grants are available to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Iowa...

Thank you to the Iowa Great Lakes Love and Kindness Project for the donation of new books. The donated books are on display on the Milford Memorial Library and available to check out. “This effort is one spun out of community members' desire to foster a loving and accepting environment for our kids and for each other. We believe that love and kindness are essential foundations to creating a community that celebrates diversity and our differences.”...

Buena Vista University (BVU) is launching a master of arts in organizational leadership degree. The degree will be available fully online with classes beginning March 6 and new opportunities to start the program approximately every eight weeks. The new degree can be completed in as few as 1 1/2 years and will provide the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead people in an ever-changing work environment. ...

The Okoboji High School’s ACT Prep Course received a $2,000 grant which provided materials for students as they prepare for this intensive test. We offer the course four times a year prior to the October, December, February, and April ACT exams. The ACT Prep program has helped students significantly raise their ACT scores, which has led to increased scholarship opportunities. This has made college more affordable for many families...

Nine Spirit Lake Middle School sixth-grade band students participated in the Strong Foundations 6th Grade Honor Band held at East Middle School on Monday, Jan. 9.   These students were chosen from over 400 names nominated to participate in the honor band. Schools were from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The director of the Spirit Lake sixth-grade band is Rich Nicklay...

Iowa Lakes Community College has announced the establishment of the Mid-America Music Association of Iowa – “MAMA” – Scholarship. The Mid-America Music Association of Iowa promotes music and music appreciation throughout the entire Midwest in conjunction with other MAMA chapters. Proceeds from their events are donated to local charities involved in music...

April 2, 1928 – Jan. 7, 2017 A Mass of Christian Burial for Arthur Reiser, age 88 of Milford, was held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford.  Burial was at Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Reiser died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Avera Heart Hospital, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota...

April 10, 1941 – Jan. 3, 2017 There will be a Memorial gathering and luncheon for Cecilia "Babe" Stevens, age 75, of Milford and formerly of Sioux City, on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carey's Cafe in Cherokee. Cecilia M. Stevens (Babe), 75, passed away at her home in Milford on Jan. 3, 2017, formerly Cecilia Risner of Sioux City. She was born on April 10, 1941 to Eunice and Eldon Risner...

April 24, 1951 – Jan. 7, 2017 A funeral service for Don Van Steenwyk, 65, of Milford was held Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer. Donald (Don) Wayne Van Steenwyk, the son of Etta (Huisman) and Donald Van Steenwyk, was born April 24, 1951 in Orange City. After graduating from Maurice-Orange City High School in 1969, Don graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars in 1973...

Oct. 7, 1930 – Jan. 9, 2017 Harley A. Whitfield, 86, passed away on Jan. 9, 2017, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida. Harley was a resident of Des Moines up until retiring and moving permanently to Spirit Lake. Harley was born Oct. 7, 1930, to Allen and Irma Cowan Whitfield. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1947. He attended Iowa State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1951 and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity...

James “Jim” Sylvan Norman, age 88, passed away at Gables Care Center in Wayzata, Minnesota, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. During his final days, Jim was attended by many of his immediate family members who were able to surround him with their care, love and gratitude as he moved into the hands of our Heavenly Father...

Feb. 22, 1956 – Jan. 9, 2017 Jeffrey Alan Morris, known for his long hair, kind smile and quiet disposition passed away in the company of family on Jan. 9, 2017 at the age of 60 from internal bleeding due to a blood clot. He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Lavon Morris. ...

March 10, 1924 – Jan. 9, 2017 Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Sibley for Jennie Beers. Rev. Maggie Gisch officiated. Interment will take place at a later date. Jennie Beers was born on March 10, 1924 in Sibley. She was the daughter of Harm and Antje (Funk) Waalkes. She lived her youth in Sibley and attended Viola and Holman Township country schools. Jennie worked for M. and J. R. Hakes in Sibley and also for many church families in their homes...

July 20, 1921 – Jan. 14, 2017 Marvin Edward Simonson, the son of Martha (Sauer) and Edward Simonson, was born July 20, 1921 in Lake View. After graduating from Lake View High School, Marvin attended Bradley Tech in Peoria, Illinois.  After graduating from Bradley Tech, Marvin accepted a position with a jewelry store in Saginaw, Michigan which is where he met Ruth Delude. Marvin and Ruth were united in marriage on Sept. 24, 1941. ...

Feb. 20, 1933 – Jan. 11, 2017 Rodney Heemstra, of Sheldon and formerly of Arnolds Park and Boyden died Jan. 11, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Sheldon. Services were held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2107 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon with Rev. Paul Van Maaren officiating. Burial was at the East Lawn Cemetery prior to the services with the family present under the direction of Turner Jenness Funeral Home...

Spirit Lake High School will be hosting eight high school jazz bands in the Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Band Festival from 4:15-9:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts. The public is welcome to hear some great jazz band music...

Arts on Grand in Spencer is pleased to present the Iowa Watercolor Society’s 2016-17 traveling show. Internationally known artist Sterling Edwards juried and judged this year’s annual competition that consisted of 60 paintings. These 60 paintings were chosen from 131 entries from artists across Iowa. This year’s show was held in Perry.  ...

One of the most widely acclaimed and honored entertainers in history, Wayne Newton, is scheduled to perform two shows Saturday, May 6, Anthem at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City. Show times are 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.   Mr. Las Vegas is back with “Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal,” a show unlike any he has ever done before, boasting a compilation of all of Newton’s extraordinary talents...

The 2017 University of Okoboji Winter Games 500/Pinochle card tournament, sponsored by Single Spirits of Spirit Lake, will be held Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Spirit Lake Senior Center, 2100 Zenith Avenue (under the water tower). Registration runs from 8-9 a.m. ...

Healthy decision making and following God’s plan for purity is again the focus of Cherish Center’s annual event: No Apologies. Master illusionist Harris III will be performing illusions and speaking on deception. His topic for the night is “How we have been deceived into what we think about sex.”...

The Iowa Great Lakes Love & Kindness Project is pleased to share the exciting news of its first fundraising success and initiative. This past week, members of the IGL Love & Kindness project distributed over 160 books to the Arnolds Park Public Library, Lake Park Community Schools, Lake Park Public Library, Milford Public Library, Okoboji School Libraries, Spirit Lake School Libraries and Spirit Lake Public Library. ...

Boating Industry, the leading trade publication for the marine industry announced the 2016 Top 100 dealers at a black tie gala Dec. 8 in Orlando. On that list, Parks Marina and Okoboji Boat Works of Okoboji with an additional location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been named No. 6 of the Top 100 dealers in North America by Boating Industry...

Youth in Philanthropy makes a lasting positive impact in the Lakes Area community. This group of young leaders raised over $150,000 in their first six years and set a team fundraising goal of $34,000 for 2017 YIP Grants. Twenty-five students from area high schools participate from October through May in the Okoboji Foundation’s annual Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) initiative. Each student is asked, “Why are you dedicated to giving back to your community through Youth in Philanthropy?”...

Jeremy Barnes, 28, of Spirit Lake was charged with shoplifting at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 2200 17th Street in Spirit Lake. Derrick Matthew Miner, 26, of Estherville was charged with driving while license suspended, speeding and failure to have insurance at 3:42 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the corner of 36th treat and Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake...

A local tax watchdog organization has advise for incoming or relocating residents in Dickinson County: Be very cautious when purchasing a residential lot for a newly-constructed home. "The Taxpayer Association has become aware of several situations in the Lakes Area where problems have arisen a few years after the property was purchased," said Phil Petersen, president of the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association. ...

"Just hold your horses. We're not there yet," Sen. David Johnson, I-Ocheyedan, said, regarding reports that he plans to file suit against Republican legislators in an effort to regain a vote on several of the Senate committees. Johnson relinquished his party affiliation in June, as a protest against the party's nomination of now President-elect Donald Trump. ...

Ruebin's Theater in Arnolds Park has been sold and will close its doors on Sunday night, Feb. 5. This ends a 34-year era of socializing, live musical entertainment and dancing in the saloon-style bar on West Broadway Street. Owner Jim Hentges said the building was the original Windjammer and was owned by Dean Mitchell before that bar was relocated to the next block west. ...

Milford residents rolled out a winter red carpet for one night – but buckle up for a week-long celebration July 17-23. The city's Quasquicentennial Committee hosted a celebration Thursday at Okoboji High School to mark Milford's actual 125th birthday. Settlers established the town on Jan. 12, 1892...

Many Lakes Area musicians and fans are mourning the death of music icon Tommy Allsup at the age of 85. Scheduled to spend four days in Clear Lake the first week in February, the Branson, Missouri resident died from complications of a blood clot and pneumonia on Jan. 11 at a hospital in Springfield, Missouri...

Iowa Lakes Community College will be holding HazMat Operations courses for all EMS, fire, law enforcement, and public, beginning Jan. 18. The HazMat operations refresher course will be held from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Iowa Lakes Community College Construction Technology Building in Emmetsburg in room 4108. ...

THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT DICKINSON COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF ESTATE OF Terry Matthiesen, Deceased. PROBATE No. ESPRO14297 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Terry Matthiesen, Deceased, who died on or about the December24, 2016:...