Stories from Tuesday, November 7, 2017

A bit of noise was added to the usual commotion of traffic near the intersection of Highways 9 and 71 Thursday. Crews began to install a 25-foot tall steel sculpture designed and fabricated by Spirit Lake High School students in January, under the supervision of Spirit Lake art teacher Brad Travis. ...

You are hereby notified that there is now on file in the office of the clerk of the above Court a Termination of Parental Rights Petition concerning the above-named child pursuant Iowa Code Chapter 232. The Petitioner is the State of Iowa whose attorney is Travis Johnson, Assistant Dickinson County Attorney, and whose address is 1802 Hill Avenue, Suite 2509, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360, phone number 712-336-4003...

Contested positions in several communities have been filled — some with new faces and some with familiar ones. Two of the three contested mayoral races in the county were accompanied by contested city council races as well. Ed Vos succeeded in his campaign for Spirit Lake Mayor. ...

Mistakes are a part of life and Okoboji Schools has unveiled plans to make mistakes part of the district's learning model. Two of the district's Explore Labs were open to the public during a pair of ribbon cutting ceremonies Tuesday. Both the elementary and middle school labs are geared toward STEM education and spurring students on to be curious and solve problems without a typical classroom model. ...

Officials are preparing to pull the trigger on a proposed shooting range in a county-owned gravel pit near Twin Forks Wildlife Area. Proponents for the range presented the idea of purchasing the Neppl gravel pit to the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors during its Oct. ...

Local schools and organizations are putting the final touches on their itineraries as Veterans Day approaches this year. Many hope to both honor the service of the veterans in the Lakes Area, as well as form connections among generations in the region...

Northwest Iowans can be assured they won’t have to see a “blizzard watch” map in the corner of their television screens during one of their favorite programs. That’s only because the terminology has been eliminated as part of a National Weather Service effort to streamline the watch and warning system. ...

Once again, Mr. Steve King continues to exhibit his inability to keep his constituents first. In the spring of 2017, I attended a legislative forum also attended by Mr. King. In his comments to the group, Mr. King talked about the greatness of the wall that was to be constructed. ...

Drug use is on the rise throughout every state in the U.S. More kids are picking up their first drug every day and becoming addicted — and, unfortunately, another statistic. One of the biggest contributing factors to today’s drug problem is the lack of good, widespread drug education...

Q: Why is the month of November celebrated as National Adoption Month? A: The short answer is President Bill Clinton in 1995 expanded upon a presidential proclamation declared by President Ronald Reagan 33 years ago this month. Recognizing the joys of parenthood and the dream-come-true reality that a loving family brings to young people awaiting adoption — from infancy through adulthood — November is observed as National Adoption Month in the United States...

A recent annual survey conducted by the firm Deloitte predicts that, for the first time, Americans this holiday season will spend more money online than they’ll spend in brick-and-mortar stores. Shopping online can save you time and maybe even money, but it also gives scammers an opportunity to steal your personal information. Follow these tips to ring in the holidays with safe and secure online shopping...

In the run-up to Veterans Day, the State Historical Society of Iowa announced Nov. 2 it is seeking help from the public for a new display that will honor Iowa's more than 3,500 World War I casualties. The “World War I Honor Roll” will go on display at the State Historical Museum of Iowa next year on Memorial Day weekend with names and photographs of Iowa service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. ...

As the cooler weather moves in to the Iowa Great Lakes Area, so does the excitement for Winter Games being just around the corner. Events will take place Jan. 25-28 for the 38th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games. The Winter Games committee has decided organizers will not be holding any community meetings this year. Instead, guests and participants are encouraged to reach out to the IGL Chamber directly for any and all updates, information, questions, or concerns...

Cesar Aguilera, age 22, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, on a court order. No bond was set. Tad Michal Lynch, age 28, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 7:27 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, on charges of violating his probation. No bond was set...

Youth in Philanthropy makes a lasting positive impact in our Lakes community. This team of young leaders raised over $200,000 in their first seven years to give back to their Lakes community through 2018 YIP grants. Twenty-nine students from area high schools participate from October through May in the Okoboji Foundation’s annual Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) initiative. Each student was asked, “What does philanthropy mean to you?”...

The Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club helped to mark historic progress toward a polio-free world on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Members of the club participated in a livestream video along with thousands of others worldwide. The event's goal was to raise awareness, funds and support to eradicate polio in every country on earth...

Huzzah! Good tidings to you and yours! The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department is proud to announce the 18th Annual Elizabethan Madrigal Feaste. This year’s festivities will be held in a neighboring castle — The VFW in Estherville — on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3. The feaste starts both nights at 6:30 p.m...

USDA Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director (SED), Bob Wegand announced approximately 104,600 farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2016 crop year. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns...

Kenue Park is full of acorns that have fallen from the bur oaks in the oak savanna — and squirrels get so happy to store them up for a good snack in the winter. However, acorns are not only good for the squirrels. People can enjoy acorns in a variety of ways too. Learn why you can be thankful for this native nut as well as cattails, nettles and a variety of other plants during the ethnobotany-themed Thanksgiving hike 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Dickinson County Nature Center...

During a special month-long campaign called “No Tillage November”, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners are encouraging Iowa farmers “keep the stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health.
The project is mirrored after the national cancer awareness No Shave November campaign that encourages people not the shave during the entire month. ...

A Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE) coat drive continues through Nov. 22. All of CFE’s locations throughout northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and southeast South Dakota will be participating. CFE recognizes the co-op’s role as an important member of the communities where they live and work — as employers, as citizens, and as volunteers. ...

Lakes Regional Healthcare’s (LRH) rehabilitation department, a leading provider of physical therapy and sports medicine services in the Iowa Great Lakes, is expanding its services in Milford. Beginning Nov. 7, they will see patients at LRH’s Community Health Center from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The expansion of this clinic is an effort to reinforce LRH’s dedication to providing Dickinson County residents access to quality physical therapy services...

The Iowa Department of Public Health on Oct. 30 announced the first flu-related death of the 2017-18 influenza season. An elderly — 81 years of age or older — central Iowa man died in October. Influenza activity in Iowa has been low so far this season, but IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, says this death is an indication that flu can be a serious illness...

  People who are grieving the death of a family member or friend may dread the holiday season. Thoughts of social gatherings, family traditions and obligations leave them anxious and overwhelmed. Sadness can seem unbearable and some people may wish they could skip these next two months and go straight to the routine of the next year — but they can’t. What can they do to lessen their stress and loneliness?...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director Bob Wegand reminds producers that FSA offers specially targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers...

Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director Bob Wegand on Nov. 2 announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4 to ensure that their vote is counted...

Hats off to the young ladies (and their families) who achieved their “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” goal at the Spirit Lake Public Library. In honor of their achievement, the students at the Spirit Lake Elementary School were treated to an entertaining show by ventriloquist Lisa Laird and her Pockets Full of Fun puppets.  ...

Congratulations went out to the Spirit Lake High School Band Program for having 10 students selected into the NWIBA Honor Band. Participating students traveled to Storm Lake Middle School on Nov. 4, along with students from around northwest Iowa to complete for placement into one of the two honor bands. ...

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University has awarded more than 2,250 scholarships to students for the 2017-18 academic year. Scholarship awards for the 2017-18 academic year were presented to: James Harmon of Lake Park who received the Joseph Fleming Endowment, Jack Kelly of Spirit Lake who received an Ag General Scholarship and Ethan Eldridge of Terril who received a Duane Hinkle Agriculture Scholarship...

All ages are invited to come to the Milford Library at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, to watch “Home Alone.” Join Betty Naab, our children’s librarian, as she hosts the after-school movie. There will be popcorn and snacks. This program is free and open to the public...

May 2, 1947 — Nov. 2, 2017 Theresa Fitchett passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Lakes Regional Hospital, in Spirit Lake, surrounded by her loving family. Theresa Marlene Fitchett was born May 2, 1947, to Jack and Dorothy Childs in Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated from Burkburnett High School in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1967. On June 1, 1967, she married Wayne Fitchett in Wichita Falls...

June 18, 1945 — Oct. 30, 2017 Ronny Jon Langholz, age 72, husband, father, grandfather and friend died peacefully on Oct. 30, 2017, in Spirit Lake following a year-long fight with cancer and recent complications. He was happy to have come home from a lengthy hospital stay the day before and had a great day watching his Iowa State Cyclones win a big game surrounded by family...

July 1, 1947 — Oct. 16, 2017 Roger Lee Hayenga was a scholar. He was quick to teach and sometimes quick to teach you to educate yourself. Many remember asking him a question and receiving the answer, “look it up” — not because he didn’t know, but because Roger wanted you to own your knowledge. He believed that knowledge was power; that power could get you anywhere you needed to go in life...

Jan. 19, 1938 — Nov. 2, 2017 A memorial gathering for Jim Lundquist, age 79, of Spirit Lake, was held Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Jim Lundquist was born in 1938 in Cherokee to Raymond and Helga (Swanson) Lundquist and died Nov. ...