Stories from Tuesday, May 30, 2017

A 120-year-old city in Dickinson County is seeing a lot of new growth. Arnolds Park added 130 residents since 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released by the State Library of Iowa on Thursday. The community’s 11.5 percent increase over seven years places it among the 30 fastest-growing communities in Iowa. The new numbers reflect estimates from July 1, 2016...

Dollar General officials anticipate a mid-summer opening, but for now concrete will continue to dry outside of the storefront in north Milford. Milford Deputy City Clerk Carrie Funk said company officials contacted the city about building a new store in the fall of 2016...

Joy Mary Sheley, age 47, of Milford, was charged with shoplifting and trespassing at 12:09 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17 at 2200 17th Street in Spirit Lake. Alex Michael Anderson, age 25, of Truman Minnesota, was charged with driving under the influence, no insurance and speeding at 9:48 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 near the intersection of 28th Street and Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake...

The area’s state parks, flea markets, restaurants and attractions are in place to capitalize on the beginning of the summer season. “It’s a time anticipated by most, but also dreaded by some as well,” Dr. Steven Baskerville said. “The traffic increases. You get stuck at the four-way stop at Wal-Mart. But, still, it’s a great kickoff – a great three-day weekend to relax and to spend time with family and friends.”...

Georgia Sheley once compared life to a boomerang: Throw a little good out there and it’s bound to come back to you someday. That outlook is holding true today as people remember their bike-riding, Fun House sliding, all-time-great Lakes ambassador. Georgia passed away Friday, May 26 at the age of 82...

On May 24, I had the pleasure to watch as our previous governor, Terry Branstad resign as our governor and be sworn in as the country's next Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China. That was historic in and of itself. Then I had the pleasure to witness our Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds be sworn in as the state's next governor. Again another historic event in that Kim Reynolds is our state’s first woman governor. ...

Federal officials on Tuesday released new information about a Spirit Lake man who was convicted following a child pornography investigation. United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand on May 22 sentenced 42-year-old Chuck Juhl to three years and 10 months in federal prison. Juhl entered his guilty plea Feb. 10 to one count of possession of child pornography as part of an agreement with prosecutors...

Before flags were raised and before Memorial Day parades marched down the streets of communities across the country, the stories of veterans were shared at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. Ann Miller, Director of the Dickinson County Veterans Affairs Office, spoke during Thursday’s Respite Care session. The church hosts Respite Angels each week and Respite staff arranges for presentations and activities...

Established in 1945, the Nutty Bar Stand in Arnolds Park has been a tasty tradition in the Iowa Great Lakes Region for over 70 years. The business was sold during the winter, causing generations of faithful customers to become apprehensive: Would its quality change? Would it become something other than the famous shop?...

The calendar says summer has yet to officially begin, but the Dickinson County Nature Center is ready with summer programs. The nature center staff is particularly excited about the acquisition of a new park, which was funded through a Recreational Enhancement and Protection Grant last year. The new property, called Pioneer Park, is located in south Milford, between the Polaris property and Milford Cemetery...

The city of Spirit Lake received grants through Black Hills Energy Power of Trees and Alliant Energy Branching Out programs through Trees Forever to plant trees along the section of trail connecting Peoria Avenue to 15th Street. Nearly 30 volunteers from Spirit Lake High School, Dickinson County Conservation, Black Hills Energy, Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, Diskinson County Trails Board and City of Spirit Lake worked together to plant 52 trees along the trail segment. ...

I spent over six years as a commissioner on the Environmental Protection Commission. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement spoke at most of our meetings in favor of cleaner water, and their solution was a moratorium on livestock expansion. I admire their goal of cleaner water — something we all want — but I disagree with their solution...

There seems to be some confusion in politics these days. Often it’s caused by not looking at all the facts. In a recent letter, the author thought that a reference to “super rich” should describe Hillary Clinton rather than President Trump because she raised more campaign money than he did. The Clintons are well off, but speaking of his personal wealth, President Trump, stating that he is very, very rich surely has the edge here...

On May 24, Governor Branstad resigned and was sworn in as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China. He was sworn in by by Judge Steven Colloton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit...

Wear white early and come back often this summer to see artistry unfold at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. The theme for the June 3 “Celebrate the Arts” benefit for Pearson Lakes Art Center is “The White Party.” This means everything at the party will be the color white, from decor, to some of the foods. PLAC encourages guests to wear Okoboji casual summer whites to take part in the festivities...

About 120 Iowa State University students are putting the finishing touches on the world’s first solar utility vehicle. Named “Penumbra,” the solar-assisted electric vehicle will be traveling to all 99 counties in June. “#SunRun99” will be stopping at Arnolds Park from 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 9, in front of the State Pier...

Seasons Center received funding from Northwest Iowa Care Connections to provide mobile crisis services in six counties in northwest Iowa beginning Jan. 1, 2018. The mobile crisis services will cover Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola, Lyon and Palo Alto counties...

A warm breeze, the quiet lapping of the waves, the chirping of shorebirds searching for breakfast – one of the most peaceful ways possible to start a summer day would be on the shores of Big Spirit Lake. The Dickinson County Conservation Board is offering the opportunity to gently wake up with Beach Yoga 7 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday in June, July and August at Ainsworth-Orleans Beach on the south shore of Big Spirit Lake...

The Iowa Rock ’n’ Roll Music Association has announced the 2017 Rock the Roof Summer Concert Series. The Rock the Roof Concert Series will be held in the Roof Garden at Arnolds Park on Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 5 p.m...

R & D Industries of Milford and Ames is proud to make a $2,500 contribution to the Okoboji Elementary School’s Nature Nook renovation for an outdoor classroom. In total, the OES Nature Nook project will raise over $45,000 in community funded efforts to convert the existing school’s court yard into a flourishing learning place for all students. ...

Summer is just around the corner, and so is Iowa Lakeside Laboratory’s lake monitoring season. Monitoring is a chance to learn about lake ecology, water quality or just enjoy being on the water. Free training and equipment are provided. All participants need is one free training session, access to a boat and to be willing to volunteer about a half-day at least three times a summer. ...

Anyone interested in tracing their family roots is invited by the Ladies of the Lake Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, one of the more active groups in the Lakes region, to a genealogy research workshop on Tuesday, June 6 at Sunrise Apartments, 1901 23rd St. in Spirit Lake...

The election of agricultural producers to Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees (COC) across the United States is important to all farmers and land owners, whether they be a beginning or longtime producer, or whether they have a large or small operation...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said that many strawberry growers across the state are predicting a bumper crop and encouraged Iowans to take advantage of these delicious, fresh berries by visiting a local strawberry patch at a local farmers market...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Dr. Craig Chase from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach today announced the release of the Iowa Commercial Horticulture Survey. The data in the report is from the 2015 growing season, was collected in 2016 and was analyzed this past winter...

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6 – The Friends Science Seminar is “The 2016 Floods on the Cedar River in Perspective: Both Human and Diatom” by Dr. Steve Main. The professor emeritus from Wartburg College will share his research in Mahan Hall on what certain species of algae can tell us about how flooding affects water quality...

State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced he has more money to return to Iowans. More than two million people are owned over $308 million. The spring publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is scheduled to begin soon. “In upcoming weeks, the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt's spring publication will be released and includes thousands of new names that have been received in the last year,” Fitzgerald said...

Pre-K to fourth grade students are invited to attend “STEM Lab & Literature in the Library” workshops at the Milford Memorial Library. The workshops will be put on by an intern, Bradi Baschke. The internship is an ISU Extension and Outreach Project directed by Constance Beecher. Hours are 10-11 a.m. and dates of the workshops are: June 9, 16, 23 and 30. The themes will be: “Colors,” “Playdough,” “Pollination” and “Bridges.”...

A puppeteer, a naturalist, an author, a couple of “scientists,” a magician, some story times and more are coming to the Spirit Lake Public Library for kids of all ages during our “Build a Better World!” summer reading program which runs now through July 8...

Milford Memorial Library has exciting events planned for children preschool age through the completion of 4th grade. All programs are free of charge. Register by calling 338-4643, email Children’s Librarian Betty Naab at bettyn@milford.lib.ia.us or go on the library website...

Mallory Rose Luers of Milford was among more than 1,900 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students honored during individual college celebrations and the All-University Honors Convocation April 23 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Luers, a junior in the College of Education and Human Sciences, was recognized as a high scholar...

Area residents can now set their schedule for a few evenings in September. Clay County Fair officials on Thursday announced the final evening Grandstand event – and the final piece of the schedule puzzle for 2017. The fair will close with a “Centennial Birthday Bash,” to honor spectacles of the past as well as local entertainers of today. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, on the U.S. Cellular Grandstand Stage...

June 5, 1922 – May 25, 2017 Jean Elizabeth Leuthauser, 94, of Lake Mills, formerly of Spirit Lake, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills. A memorial service was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Private family burial of her cremains will be at in the West Homan Township Cemetery in Sibley...

Dec. 1, 1922 – May 24, 2017 A funeral service for Helen Schroeder, age 94, of Milford, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home...

Dec. 9, 1927 – May 20, 2017 Alan Gordon Potter, 89, of Milford, passed away on Saturday, May 20, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. Formerly of Okoboji, Alan grew up in Fort Dodge. Funeral services were Friday, May 26, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneral.com...

Nov. 30, 1924 – May 24, 2017 Betty J. Miller, 92, of Cedar Falls, died Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Care Center. Betty was born Nov. 30, 1924, in Trenton, Missouri, the daughter of Harry & Bess (Lampe) Davis. She married Claude Miller June 4, 1943, in Trenton. He preceded her in death May 19, 2010. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker...

July 22, 1932 – Nov. 19, 2016 Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 2 at the Spirit Lake Memorial Gardens for Alice McClintic Kness. She was born July 22, 1932, in Harris and died Nov. 19, 2016, in Apache Junction, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill and their son Lonnie Kness, parents William and Vera Hoffman McClintic, brothers Billie Elmer and Chester McClintic and one sister Jean Elder. ...

March 30, 1931 – May 20, 2017 A funeral service for T. Milan Bragg, age 86 of West Okoboji was held Saturday, May 27, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park. Thomas Milan Bragg, Jr., was born March 30, 1931, along with his twin brother, Charles Milton Bragg, to Thomas Milan Bragg, Sr. and Lucille R. (Parks) Bragg, at Randolph, Nebraska...