Stories from Monday, July 3, 2017

Make it a four-peat. With a pair of wins over Emmetsburg Friday in a Lakes Conference softball doubleheader, 11th-ranked (3A) Spirit Lake captured the outright conference crown for the fourth consecutive season under coach Rachel Fisher. Needing a win to tie, and two wins to take the title over eventually runner-up Cherokee, the Indians outscored the E-Hawks by a combined score of 25-0 on the night. ...

Behind a dominant pitching performance from sophomore Mady Brevik, the Wolves needed just two runs to advance in the Class 1A Regional Softball Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Trinity Christian Monday in Lake Park. According to Harris-Lake Park coach Eric Clouse, defense — as it has been all season — was key in the Wolves' win over the Tigers. They had just one error on the night...

After six and a half scoreless innings, Spirit Lake came through in the clutch Friday in a home contest with Emmetsburg, earning a 1-0 walkoff win over the E-Hawks in Spirit Lake. To that point, Spirit Lake junior Nick Christensen and Emmetsburg senior Matt Kibbie were locked in a pitchers duel. Christensen allowed just three hits and struck out six E-Hawk batters on the day, and Kibbie surrendered seven hits...

After falling behind by eight runs to visiting Sibley-Ocheyedan on Wednesday, the Okoboji softball team made late rally, but ultimately lost to the Generals in Milford. The two squads were knotted at 2-2 after one, but the Generals plated five in the second inning and lone runs in the next three innings to lead 10-2. The Pioneers scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth to make it a five-run ball game, but managed just one run in the bottom half of the seventh to fall 10-6...

The court process could be ending for at least one of two people accused of kidnapping a man from his Wahpeton home. District Court Judge Carl J. Petersen on Thursday authorized a pre-sentence investigation report for 20-year-old Tanner Meysenburg of Spencer. The judge has also scheduled a 10 a.m. hearing Monday, Aug. 28, to potentially accept Meysenburg’s plea...

Okoboji earned a 10-4 road victory over Sheldon Monday in Siouxland Conference baseball action. The Pioneers plated two in the opening stanza to take an early lead and plated three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to lead 8-1. The Orabs responded with a trio of runs in the bottom half of the fifth frame to make it a four-run game, but the Pioneers buckled down behind starting pitcher Isaac Fritsch, blanking the hosts and tacking on two more runs to salt away the victory...

Houston Hawkins went the distance Monday night, striking out nine batters and allowing just three hits in a 6-0 Spirit Lake win over Cherokee. The Indians did all of their damage in the middle innings, plating one run in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to pull ahead for the victory...

A quick-thinking employee and an expert in the right place helped minimize fire damage at an Arnolds Park landmark. Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 12:20 p.m. Saturday to the Central Emporium at 144 Lakeshore Drive. Smoke was coming into a store above The Gardens. Firefighters think the blaze started near an upper-level service entrance...

Anglers find secret fishing holes. Foodies find hole-in-the-wall eateries. Even miniature golf lovers have several courses to choose from in the area. But, the area’s specialty film fans have been at a loss as to where to find their fix — independent films, foreign language films and documentaries. ...

Harris-Lake Park put a beating on Clay Central-Everly in a non-conference varsity doubleheader on Friday evening. The Wolves baseball team topped the Mavericks 23-0 in Everly, and the softball team won 13-1 in Royal. In their baseball win, the Wolves plated seven in the first, one in the second, nine in the third and sixth in the fourth to end the night early...

The first phase of the campaign to restore and sustain Arnolds Park Amusement Park is nearing completion and fundraising efforts are in full swing as the park prepares for the second and third phases. Work on the $12 million “Restore the Park” project began last fall and organizers revealed plans for future improvements in early May...

Okoboji split a Siouxland Conference baseball doubleheader with MOC-Floyd Valley on Friday. The Pioneers earned a 4-3 win and suffered a 4-0 defeat against the Dutch in Milford. In their victory, the Pioneers fell behind 3-0 early, as the Dutch plated one in the first and two more in the third, but rallied with two runs in the third and two more in the sixth to pull ahead for the one-run victory...

Harris-Lake Park baseball and softball teams dropped a pair of War Eagle Conference games to Gehlen Catholic on Wednesday in Le Mars. The Wolves baseball team scored three runs in the second inning but lost 8-3 to the Jays, while the softball team surrendered three runs in the fourth to lose 4-1...

Kelsey Kannenberg tossed a gem Wedensday night, leading Spirit Lake to a Lakes Conference softball win over Western Christian. Kannenberg, a junior, struck out nine Wolfpack batters in an 8-0 Indians win. She allowed six hits and no walks in the complete game shutout. Kannenberg was also 2-2 at the dish with a double and two RBIs...

Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire secured its fourth straight victory, topping Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in a 15-9 non-conference softball slugfest on Tuesday, June 27. The host Titans took an early 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the opening frame. The Hawks gained a one-run advantage with two in the top half of the second, but GT/RA scored five in the second and five more in the third to take a commanding 12-3 lead...

In mid-May, a friend helped me get my pontoon on the hoist and my hoist cover secured. We knew there was the possibility of a thunderstorm popping up, but we checked the radar and a tiny cell was located near Lake Park. However, it appeared to be pretty much nothing and appeared to be sliding southeast. We were pretty confident that it would slide southeast of Arthur Heights...

Across the Midwest and I would guess most of North America, most game fish in most places are done spawning. After a few days of rest, those fish will get very hungry. If you can put a bait near a fish, it will probably bite that bait. The key is to show as many fish as possible your bait, and the best way to do that is by trolling. Trolling enables an angler to cover lots of water quickly and efficiently. Here's how you can troll to catch more fish now and through the summer months...

The Tallgrass Prairie is in bloom from April through October, but in July, it is at its peak. From Butterfly Milkweed to Purple Coneflower, and Prairie Phlox to Blazingstar, the color is intense.  One of my favorite flowers to bloom mid-summer is Compass Plant. Look for it reaching tall along Iowa roadsides and in remnant prairies. It can easily be spotted because it grows 4-8 feet tall, rising high above the grasses. ...

Iowa fisheries management biologist Mark Flammang was recognized as the Fisheries Biologist of the Year by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) at their annual meeting, June 26 in Ashland, Nebraska. MAFWA, an organization of 13 state and three provincial Midwest fish and wildlife agencies, exists to share ideas and information, pool resources, and initiate action to benefit the management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources in the Midwest.  This award is presented annually to a fisheries biologist that demonstrates unparalleled initiative towards the better understanding of fishes and their conservation.. ...

Midsummer panfish patterns often become overlooked by some anglers as bass and walleye seasons open across the Midwest. Minnesota angler Tony Mariotti is widely renowned for his knack for finding panfish through the season and believes that mid to late summer can offer consistent action for both crappie and sunfish. ...

The YMCA of the Okobojis is pleased to announce the receipt of a Ranger Crew 570 from Polaris as part of the Polaris Foundation grant program. Polaris gives back to local communities and gives priority to requests received from organizations within communities in which Polaris’ manufacturing and distribution centers are located...

The Second City, Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theater, returns to the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre on Saturday, July 29. “We’re All In This Room Together ” is full of the live and in-your-face entertainment Netflix can’t provide. The show features improvised comedy, audience interaction and of-the-moment sketches and songs from The Second City made famous by superstars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more...

A new vice president of administration has been hired at Iowa Lakes Community College. Robert “Bob” Leifeld was approved at the board of trustees meeting June 20. He currently serves as the executive dean of the Estherville campus and will start his new duties as vice president on July 1. ...

Iowa Lakes Community College President Valerie Newhouse has been notified that she will receive the 2017 “Chief Administrator Award” from the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees in July. Newhouse was selected based on her outstanding leadership...

Jason Joseph Thomas, age 43, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 12:47 a.m. Wednesday, June 28 on a court order. No bond was set. Forester Henry McCleery, age 63, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 12:03 p.m. Friday, June 30 on charges of theft in the first degree, operating while intoxicated, interference with official acts, open container and speeding. Bond was set at $11,000...

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has cited a Spencer driver who was behind the wheel during a single-vehicle rollover Friday afternoon. Nathan Baxter was charged with failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way, as well as reckless driving and failure to maintain control of his vehicle. Deputies say the 24-year-old was westbound at 3:17 p.m. Friday in a 2003 black Chevy Trailblazer when he lost control of the SUV in the 2600 block of 270th Street...

Dickinson County conservation groups are working together for water quality. And that makes it the perfect theme for this year’s Prairie Lakes Conference, held Aug. 9-11 at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Okoboji. Conservation professionals and the general public are invited to attend this premier conference that will focus on a variety of topics surrounding water quality, from the science of lakes and watersheds to the connection between soil and water health...

Rep. John Wills (R-Spirit Lake) released information on a few notable bills that were passed during the 2017 legislative session which go into effect on July 1, 2017.  “We had a very productive legislative session this past year and addressed a number of issues that are important to Iowans. It’s clear that Iowans are getting a better deal now than they were before,” said Wills. “I look forward to meeting with Iowans over the coming months and gathering their input for next year’s legislative session.”. ...

Two members of the The Nature Conservancy in Iowa’s Board of Trustees received honors at the Volunteer Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. last week. As trustees from around the globe gathered, the three-day summit focused on inspiring volunteers to drive policy action, unleash their power in advancing the conservancy’s message to congressional and administration leaders and provide opportunities to engage with the conservancy's leaders, fellow volunteers and international board of directors...

The recent passing of a friend and frequent customer has reminded me of how Iowa is often perceived by other parts of the country. Some think Iowans are unqualified to hold the first caucus. Some think our state is covered in hog confinements. Some think we wear overalls and speak with southern accents. Some even think we’re the potato state. We’ve heard them all...

Imagine a well-paying, easy job with flexible hours that you can do from the comfort of your home. As amazing as that may seem, you might also wonder if an offer like that is too good to be true. Well, as the old adage says, it probably is. Work-from-home scams target those looking to make easy money from home. They advertise get-rich-quick opportunities through tasks as simple as stuffing envelopes...

Q: Why are changes needed to fix the Affordable Care Act? A:  No piece of legislation is perfect, especially one that restructures one-sixth of the U.S. economy. The Affordable Care Act is a prime example. When President Obama signed this sweeping health care overhaul into law seven years ago, Americans were promised lower insurance bills, better coverage and more access to high quality health care...

I am concerned about New Fashion Pork and their hog confinement being built in Dickinson County abutting Christopherson Slough and near Swan Lake. By using a loophole, they are going to injure the tourist trade here. Being an out-of-state owner, they are not following the rules set out by our state. The Swan Lake Winery and B&B is downwind of the farrowing barn and that is not good...

A few days ago, the New York Times published an article listing lies told by President Trump since he took office. As I went through the list I counted just about 100 up until June 21. They were easily fact-checked statements i.e.: crowd size at his inauguration, claim that he had the record for times on the cover of Time magazine (he had 11, President Nixon had 55); claimed the U.S. ...

Aladdin is determined to succeed in life! Just when life seems toughest, he discovers a new friend—a genie who gives him three magical wishes. Friendship and love prove to be as powerful as magic. Performances of "Aladdin" will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, July 4 to 22. ...

For more than two decades, Hotel California has touched the hearts of fans all over the world, by faithfully reproducing the Grammy award-winning sounds of the Eagles. See how a blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California to a level of international recognition...

Gather your most competitive, outdoorsy family members for the next Family Nature Night. The family-friendly event will take place 6 p.m. Monday, July 10, in Kenue Park in Okoboji and will focus on camping skills, with a little friendly competition thrown in...

Nashville recording artist and songwriter, Danika Portz, is creating a buzz in Music City. Originally from Remsen, Portz has been performing since the age of 6. Her mother recognized her talent at an early age and put together her first “tour” to all the local nursing homes at the age of 8. She started competing in competitions at the age of 9. From collegiate choirs to professional theatre companies, corporate events to state and county fairs, Portz is a seasoned veteran of the stage...

LifeLight Global of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, producers of the world’s largest Christian music festival, announced it will be bringing the all new LifeLight Okoboji Christian Festival to the Iowa Great Lakes and Boji Bay Legacy Park. The new festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, beginning at 3 p.m. and scheduled to run until 10 p.m. It is free for all to attend...

The Arnolds Park Public Library, the Milford Memorial Library and the Spirit Lake Public Library are pleased to welcome acclaimed Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow for a special concert. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at the Milford Library. The program is sponsored by the Friends of Spirit Lake Public Library, the Friends of the Milford Memorial Library, and the Arnolds Park Library and is free to the community...

The Okoboji Summer Theatre continues its 60th anniversary season with its fifth production of the summer: “Boeing Boeing” by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans. The production runs from Tuesday, July 11, through Sunday, July 16, and is sponsored by Anne Thorne Weaver, Rosemarie and Dennis Ward, and Kemna Cadillac...

Fairgoers have the opportunity to save through several pre-Fair deals as they make plans to "Come Home" for the Centennial Clay County Fair. Advance adult gate admission tickets are available for $7, saving fairgoers $3 before the gates open Sept. 9. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Clay County Fair and Events Center Box Office, or at more than 70 locations throughout northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota. Area locations include:...

Spencer welcomed racers participating in the 41st annual Air Race Classic to the Northwest Iowa Regional Airport beginning June 20. An all-women, cross-country aviation competition, ARC aircraft passed over or stopped at the local airport as part of the 2,648-mile course, which for the first time included the Spencer-based aviation center as one of its eight check points...

How can I be sure my retirement funds will last my lifetime?  This important question will be addressed in an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach workshop on two Wednesdays — July 19 and 26 — at the Spirit Lake Public Library located at 702 16th Street in Spirit Lake. ...

Iowa Lakes Community College students have returned from the 53rd annual National SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville, Kentucky, June 19-23. One individual from the Powersports and Power Equipment Technology program at Iowa Lakes came home with a first-place medal in the “Motorcycle Service Technology” category...

7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5 Wild Wednesdays at Waitt Lab — “Soak It Up: Fun With Rain Gardens.” This follow up to last week’s “Nature’s Plumbing” theme will explore the impact of urbanization on the water cycle and water quality. Get inspired to be part of the clean water team in your own backyard...

Chad Hibma of Harris was presented with a $10,000 donation for his FFA chapter and earn a sports trip for two. Hibma entered the “Power to Do More” contest sponsored by Resicore herbicide. Its parent company Dow AgroSciences donated a total of $37,000, with $10,000 to the three winning communities and an additional $1,000 to the communities of the remaining seven finalists...

Jack Walsh of the financial services firm Edward Jones recently earned the firm's exclusive Century Award for outstanding performance during 2016. His office is at 2207 Okoboji Ave. Ste. E in Milford. Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. ...

An anniversary celebration is scheduled Friday, July 7 to observe the 20th anniversary of the operation of the Smith Wellness Center/Library Complex at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. The open house/chamber coffee starts at 9:30 a.m. in the rotunda with refreshments and self-guided tours. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions...

It’s been wonderfully busy in the kid’s corner of the library. The children are enjoying their new space, playing with old and new friends, reading books, participating in programming and spinning the prize wheel. It’s a great place for a play date especially on hot or rainy days.  ...

Midland University has recognized the outstanding achievements of students with the announcement of the spring 2017 president's list and dean's list. Overall, 386 students were honored including River Kelly of Lake Park. Kelly was named to the dean’s list. ...

Cows standing in a holding pen are especially vulnerable to heat stress, according to experts at Iowa State University Extension. The organization encourages both properly angled fans and sprinklers to aid in cow comfort between milkings. However, adding water into a poorly ventilated holding pen will make it more humid and hot...

April 22, 1924 — June 27, 2017 Frances M. “Franny” Girard, 93 of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home. Funeral services took place on Friday at the Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery...

Oct. 2, 1931 — June 17, 2017 Clarence E. “Buzz” Davis, 85, of Spirit Lake died on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Sanford Senior Care Center in Sheldon. Memorial services for Clarence will be held at a later date. The Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

May 6, 1929 — June 27, 2017 A funeral service for August “Augy” Scheppmann, 88, of Spirit Lake, was held Saturday, July 1, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Interment was at Lakefield Cemetery in Lakefield, Minnesota. August Raymond Scheppmann, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2017. ...

Sept. 16, 1924 — June 28, 2017 A funeral service for Arlene Wells, 92, of Spirit Lake, was held Saturday, July 1, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Interment was at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Arlene Norma Wells, daughter of William and Ida Guritz, was born on Sept. 16, 1924, in Jackson, Minnesota. She passed away June 28, 2017, in Spirit Lake at the age of 92...