Stories from Tuesday, August 21, 2018

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has proposed an increase of $3 for an annual hunting or fishing license, bringing the total annual cost to $20. The DNR is accepting comments on the proposed increases through Aug. 21 via email to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov...

Some of our area newspaper editors in recent days have had an interesting conversation about whether it pays to argue an irrational subject. With President Donald Trump shifting from labeling any news he doesn’t like as "fake," to dramatically painting the media as "the enemy of the American people," the question becomes — when does the press fight back?...

The Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who helped make our second annual Boji Brew Fest event a great success. It took place the afternoon of Aug. 4 at the Arnolds Park Central Park shelter house. Thank you to the members of PEO, Chapter PA, who volunteered along with our club members to make set up, ticket sales and tear down run smoothly. Also, thank you for recruiting your spouses to help!...

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 Aug. 16 blood drive in Spirit Lake. A special thanks go to Grace Lutheran Church for providing a wonderful place for this to happen...

In a recent Letter to the Editor titled "Emma Lazarus Words on Immigration," the writer begins with the Emma Lazarus poem on the State of Liberty, but then descends into complaints that President Trump does not follow international or United Nations law. I could be mistaken, but I thought the United States was sovereign nation that controls its own destiny...

I am writing to commend Gov. Kim Reynolds on the great job she is doing as governor of Iowa. She worked her way up. She was a county treasurer, state senator from her district, she was our lieutenant governor and now she is our governor. She was mentored by one of Iowa's best governors, Terry Branstad, who is now U.S. Ambassador to China. She even went back to college to learn more about governing...

What if: • China doesn't bow to American tariff pressure? For the Chinese, bowing indicates respect. • The Renewable Fuel Standard keeps being undermined by waivers? • After a $12 billion bailout, farmers need more help from programs defunded because of the $12 billion? What if more family farms fold?...

Aug. 13, 1918 — Aug. 16, 2018 One of the area's prominent woman bowlers has rolled her last frame. Dorothy Rute passed from this life on Aug. 16, 2018. She was the daughter of Ray and Claire Broadie Lawrence, who farmed in rural Clay County. Dorothy was born on Aug. ...

This is for my mom, Trinca. My name is Jack James, I am her 13-year-old son. To me, it really doesn't matter where she was born or what college she went to and, at my age, it didn’t matter much where she went every day for work. She would kiss me hello, good morning everyday and kiss me good night every night. I will never get her hugs and kisses again, and it hurts my heart so bad...

Jan. 25, 1967 — Aug. 10, 2018 A Celebration of Life gathering for Rob Schwarting, age 51, of Arnolds Park, was held Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at Gull Point State Park Lodge. Robert "Rob-o" Lee Schwarting, the son of Jacqueline Fox and Gary Schwarting, was born Jan. 25, 1967, in Worthington, Minnesota. The family moved to Spirit Lake when he was five, where Rob was raised and finished high school...

On Monday, the White House announced that President Donald Trump had approved Gov. Kim Reynolds request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 30 counties impacted by flooding and severe weather from June 6-July 2. The entire Iowa congressional delegation supported the governor’s request. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst issued the following statement...

Two Sioux Falls residents were sent to jail after marijuana was found in a vehicle stopped for speeding. A Dickinson County Sheriff's deputy stopped the Chevrolet Sonic at around 9:23 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, near Vick's Corner in Spirit Lake. The deputy had pulled over the vehicle for breaking the speed limit, but observed what the report describes as "suspicious movements in the vehicle" after the Sonic had stopped...

Sport your tuxedo and gown or put on your shiniest leather get up — or bring a little of both — it doesn't matter at Shayla Bee's Third Annual Black Tie Black Leather Affair on Saturday, Aug. 25. Scheduled for Saturday evening, the annual benefit for the Shayla Bee Fund, once again hosted at Okoboji Classic Cars, will feature a catered meal, drinks, a live auction and musical entertainment featuring rockabilly singer Robby Vee...

A Milford man reported only neck pain after his car was hit by another driver and entered a ditch last week. The accident took place at approximately 4:18 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, near the intersection of 250th Avenue and 240th Street southeast of Milford...

Augustana University announced that Jacie Rueter of Lake Park, Hannah DeWild of Spirit Lake and Lauren Sandison of Spirit Lake have been named to the dean's list for the spring semester of the 2017-18 academic year. The dean's list recognizes full-time students who have a minimum of 12 credit hours with grade-point averages at 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale). ...

There are two documents of paramount importance to American history — the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today. ...

  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a ServSafe food safety certification class at the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Spirit Lake on Oct. 2. The class will prepare individuals to become certified food protection managers (CFPM), a requirement for food establishments in Iowa...

Open book discussion group will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the Milford Community Center. This month's book is entitled "The Future She Left Behind" by Marin Thomas, and it can be found at MML. Any interested individuals are welcome to come to this program, and it is not necessary to attend all of the book meetings...

Decorated in fall hues and with the last thoughts of summer, the Murray County Fairgrounds is the location of the annual Slayton Women of Today’s Autumn Boutique. This 26th annual event will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton, Minnesota. During this two-day event, this small community located on Highways 30 and 59 is transformed into a dynamic shopping haven...

A screening with "Alice's Ordinary People" filmmaker Craig Dudnick will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Spirit Lake Public Library. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Spirit Lake Public Library, Friends of the Milford Memorial Library and the Arnolds Park Library Foundation...

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce was on hand for the opening of Deli on the Ave. The deli is owned and managed by Carla Welding. She said work had been done on the building for approximately two years before in order to get ready for the business. ...

The Spirit Lake Class of 1953 held a 65th Class Reunion Aug. 11 in Spirit Lake. Those attending were (front from left) Shirley Bohnmann, Dora Whaley Frondt, Judy Reed Adams, Sally Ruebel Amlie, Lorraine Fronk Holmes, Marilyn Estes Peppen, JoAnn Weik Bragg, Elwin Tritle and Steve Rose (back row) Lloyd Swanson, Gordon Anderson and Charles Sarzine...

The Iowa Navy Commodores turned their rudders toward Creative Spirits in downtown Spirit Lake Friday morning. The business offers instruction in painting for groups and participants are often welcome to enjoy their favorite beverage (alcoholic or otherwise) while they work. ...

Celebrating 35 years in business, Parks Marina was proud to host the presentation of two "Folds of Honor" educational scholarships to local military families during Park's annual celebration for Cobalt Boat owners entitled "The American Dream" on Friday, Aug. 3. The awarding of scholarships took place at the Parks Boat House. Doll Distributing, distributers of Anheuser-Busch in Spencer, was present for the scholarship presentation and Salute to Veterans weekend at The Barefoot Bar...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will offer Food Preservation 101 from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the ISU Extension and Outreach office located at 1600 15th Street in Spirit Lake. Food Preservation 101 will cover food safety information, guidelines for canning, freezing and drying, an overview of equipment and utensils for canning and freezing and up-to-date resources and recipes for safe and tasty food preservation. ...

The Iowa Great Lakes Rotary is pleased to welcome Paul Johnson as one of its news members. Paul Johnson was inducted into the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club on July 18. Originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Johnson had a 33 year career with Berkley and Company (Pure Fishing) as an engineer and working in the research department and forming the golf division. ...

Although the Imagine Iowa Great Lakes group withdrew its bid for the Okoboji Middle School property earlier this month, plans to beautify stretches of Highway 71 between Milford and Spirit Lake are still progressing. The group has scheduled a 5 p.m. announcement Wednesday at the Pearson Lakes Art Center to update the community on the first phase of the $10 million project...

Imagine Iowa Great Lakes addressed some skepticism stemming from the group's decision to withdraw its $1.1 million offer for the Okoboji Middle School property earlier this month. The school district agreed to sell the property and apply the profit toward paying off a $25 million bond for a new building in Milford and other district improvements. ...

Members of a group suing the county may be forced to reveal themselves as part of a countersuit filed by local businessman Leo "Butch" Parks. His lawsuit against Concerned Citizens of Dickinson County was put on hold by the Iowa Supreme Court in July at the request of the Concerned Citizens group. ...

Each year, the governor recognizes individuals who have helped friends or neighbors in need of critical need of assistance. On Aug. 9, Gov. Kim Reynolds recognized seven people for their heroic acts of service. There are four categories in which honorees are recognized — lifesaving with valor, lifesaving, meritorious service and outstanding service...

After a lot of miles and a lot of raindrops, American Legion Chief Road Captain Bob Sussan was happy to see the cloudy, but dry, conditions Tuesday morning in the Iowa Great Lakes. His 500 riders and support staff members were just starting their day. They formed a traffic-redirecting caravan from Spencer to Spirit Lake as part of the American Legion Legacy Run. Their next overnight stop was Austin, Minnesota, to end day three of the ride...

School bells are set to ring again this week and a few changes are waiting for students at each of the Lakes Area districts. Be it new staff, new administrators or simply entering a new building for the first time, something different is sure to greet students as they file in for another academic year...