Stories from Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Recently, second-grade students at Okoboji Elementary had a chance to read "Santa's Stuck," a children's book by Rhonda Gowler Greene and Henry Cole. Their teachers, Mrs. Bouse, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. McCabe, then asked the second grade students how they would dislodge jolly old Saint Nicholas from a chimney. Here are their answers:...

Feb. 13, 1944 — Dec. 1, 2018 A memorial visitation for Dave Richardson, age 74, of Milford, was held Monday, Dec. 10, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Memorials for the family may be mailed to Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. David Eugene Richardson, the son of Harold and June (Wiley) Richardson, was born Feb. 13, 1944, in Emmetsburg. He attended school in Ware before he began working on the family farm...

July 23, 1948 — Nov. 29, 2018 A memorial service for David Rowlands, age 70, of Spirit Lake, was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Crown Hill Cemetery in Ruthven. David Sherwood Rowlands, the son of Peg and Sherwood "Woody" Rowlands, was born July 23, 1948, in Spencer.  David graduated from Harris-Lake Park Community School. He lived most of his life at Lost Island Lake near Ruthven, Lake Park and Spirit Lake...

Sept. 21, 1932 — Dec. 3, 2018 Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 7, at First Presbyterian Church in Sibley for Delbert Logan Wills. The Rev. Terry Simm officiated. Interment was at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, with military honors by American Legion #324 and V.F.W. #7373...

Aug. 1, 1937 – Dec. 7, 2018 Ray Leroy Booton, 81, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away Dec. 7, 2018, at the Cove House in Lincoln. His oldest and youngest sons were keeping him company at the time. He passed quietly and peacefully. Born in Spirit Lake, Ray Booton was an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War as an airplane mechanic, and received a purple heart for an injury by a sniper's bullet. His time in Thailand was life-changing, and he referred to it often...

June 6, 1950 — Dec. 3, 2018 A funeral service for Vicki Klein, 68, of Spirit Lake was held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Foundation Church in Spencer. Interment was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Vicki Christine Farrell was born on June 6, 1950, in Fort Dodge to Morris and Arvilla Farrell. She graduated from Fort Dodge High in 1968...

The Arnolds Park Library Foundation met Monday, Dec. 3, for its annual meeting. This year, the foundation graciously approved $3,700 worth of gifts to the library. They include new window coverings for the reading area, projector and large projector screen, Playaway Books and sponsorship of our summer reading program...

'Twas the month of Winter Break and the children were thinking, 'What should we do to keep the fun going after Santa's big day?' Well, at least the grownups were thinking that. When to their puzzling brains thoughts of the library appeared. Games, toys and play dates at the library are always on the agenda. Hmmm, wonder what other fun activities might the library have this year? ...

In this ever-changing world in which we're living, song lyrics can come back and bite you. It's nearing Christmas time, and the holiday touchstone "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is being put on the black list for some on the airwaves. Which of course is making folks mad. ...

I have received many comments about my numerous letters to the editor. A few deriding my opinions and demanding that I stop writing, but surprisingly, in this dominantly conservative district, many more applauding them and encouraging me to continue writing...

I look forward to a year in which estimates of the state's financial savings under Medicaid privatization do not triple and then increase again, while still at less than 75 percent of Governor Branstad's original estimated yearly savings. I look forward to a year in which a majority of Iowans are not of the opinion that our current governor has not addressed significant problems with Medicaid privatization...

Starting Dec. 1, patients with medical cannabidiol cards were able to purchase cannabidiol from five places across the state. A person diagnosed with a qualifying condition can ask their primary physician to recommend them for a medical cannabidiol card. The following conditions can qualify a person for a card:...

Heather Marie Oberloh, age 33, of Spirit Lake was charged with driving while suspended, no insurance and improper rear lamps at 7:34 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, near the intersection of 32nd Street and Sunner Avenue in Spirit Lake. Bryan Steven Swain, age 52, of Spirit Lake was charged with domestic violence at 10:02 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the 400 block of 18th Street in Spirit Lake...

A 2,000-head cattle operation northeast of Lake Park was fined by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources late last month after leaving a portion of its approved expansion plan unfinished out of concern for the animals. Terrafact Inc. was penalized a total of $3,000 for failing to plant trees on the north side of its confinement building. ...

DNR conservation officers cited a Dickinson County incident as a reminder to take additional precautions during the second shotgun season for deer. At around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, DNR conservation officers responded to a property damage report in Dickinson County just west of West Lake Okoboji. ...

Succinct and purposeful words were chosen by Iowan poets seeking to be featured in the Iowa Poetry Association's annual anthology "Lyrical Iowa." At least four local names were printed below their respective poetic works in the 73rd edition of the anthology...

The public is invited to attend a holiday handbell performance at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the First Presbyterian Church, 3501 Hill Ave. in Spirit Lake. The Iowa Lakes Community College handbell choir, under the direction of Carol Ayres Stueven, is an ensemble that performs on a seven-octave range, from G2 to G8, of Schulmerich handbells. The bells are made of bronze and range in weight from four ounces to 26 pounds. The choir also supplements handbells with a seven-octave set of hand chimes...

On Sunday, Dec. 16, The Dick Bauman Big Band will be at the Pearson Lakes Art Center to share their music for an afternoon of fun, relaxation, and dancing in the Pomerantz Hall. If you enjoyed them all summer, here is an opportunity to see them one last time this year...

The ice arena located just northeast of the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake is about to enter a third phase of construction, according to the Lakes Area Hockey Association. Treasurer Sharon Hoerichs and representative Eric Hoien submitted a funding request and updated the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors on progress at Boji Bay Ice Arena. The association also requested funding in the county's 2019 budget for Phase III of the project...

The Spirit Lake High School Key Club will be hosting Take Down Cancer at the home wrestling meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. Cheerleaders will be wearing purple bows and wrestlers will be wearing purple tape and laces to show support to those that have been affected by cancer. The youth wrestling cheerleaders will doing a short performance prior to the first dual...

On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the community voted on The Festival of Trees and the results are in. The winners of the Best Personal/Family Tree were Caden and Brianna Swenson. Best Organization Tree went to Cherish Center. Little Sprouts Daycare won the Best Business Tree. ...

In addition to YIP Grants, Youth in Philanthropy gives back with an annual community service project. At its Dec. 5 meeting, they brought items for Kadens Kloset: Okoboji. These student leaders also collected items to be donated at each school. Tina VandeHoef, Kadens Kloset: Okoboji Director, spoke with the students about Kadens Kloset explaining it is a 100 percent volunteer and donation-run, not-for-profit organization that exists to provide services and necessities for foster and adoptive children and families in need within our communities and beyond. ...

The Iowa Navy Commodores secured their moorings on the lower level of the Pearson Lakes Art Center to welcome Kindermusik at the Lakes into the ranks of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Owner Allison Antoine responded with one of her program's welcoming songs. ...

Spencer Community Theatre welcomes audiences to the second show of its 59th anniversary season, “Almost, Maine.” Almost, Maine, is a place that’s so far north, it's almost not in the United States. It's almost in Canada. And it's not quite a town because its residents never got around to getting organized, so it almost doesn't exist. ...

Iowa Third District Court Judge Patrick Tott will decide if a local businessman's lawsuit against a group who opposed the approval of a residential development will continue. Tott called for a hearing Tuesday morning to discuss aspects of a lawsuit filed by Leo "Butch" Parks against a group called Concerned Citizens of Dickinson County...

The ninth-ranked (3A) Okoboji girls basketball team earned a dominant 71-39 road win over Siouxland Conference rival Sibley-Ocheyedan on Tuesday night. "We were very happy with how the girls came in and got after it on the defensive end of the court," Okoboji coach John Adams said. ...

The Spirit Lake girls basketball team headed north for a victory Tuesday evening, as the Indians defeated Jackson County Central 59-49 in Jackson, Minnesota. "It’s always fun going to Minnesota to play," Spirit Lake coach Naet Hoaglund said. "The games are a little longer and there always seems to be a little extra excitement. ...

Spirit Lake survived a 38-point scoring outburst by Newell-Fonda's Bryce Coppock Tuesday evening, as the Indians edged the Mustangs 69-61 in Spirit Lake. "Newell-Fonda came out ready to go, especially their best player (Coppock) who had 38 points," Spirit Lake coach Paul Brown said. ...

South O'Brien outscored Harris-Lake Park 21-6 in the opening quarter of a 67-44 win Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Lake Park. The Wolverines took a 36-18 halftime lead and led 50-33 after three quarters. Senior Madison Brevik led the Wolves with 17 points. She also had four blocks and two steals...

Harris-Lake Park suffered a 21-point home loss to South O'Brien on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The Wolves fell behind early in a 71-50 to the Wolverines in Lake Park. "Overall, I thought the guys did a nice job of battling back from an early deficit," Harris-Lake Park coach Jeff Sohn said. ...

Okoboji picked up its first home win of the season Monday in a non-conference clash with Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire. The Pioneers topped the Titans 58-49 in Milford. "We were very proud of the heart our guys showed tonight and how they displayed some grit to get the job done," Okoboji coach Ryan Stumbo said. ...

In a non-conference clash, ninth-ranked (3A) Okoboji earned a nine-point win over Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire on Monday. The Pioneers topped the Titans 51-42 in Milford. The victory came on the heels of the Pioneers' first loss of the season, a 47-44 home loss to MOC-Floyd Valley on Friday...

Estherville Lincoln Central gave Spirit Lake all it could handle Friday, but the Midgets couldn't handle 6-10 forward Owen Coburn as the senior scored 33 points, pulled down 17 rebounds and had four blocks in a three-point Indians win. Spirit Lake defeated ELC 65-62 in Estherville...

In a low-scoring Lakes Conference affair, Spirit Lake came away the victor Friday on the road against Estherville Lincoln Central. The Indians topped the Midgets 46-42 in overtime. "It's always difficult going on the road and getting wins," Spirit Lake coach Naet Hoaglund said. ...

Okoboji wrestlers earned a trio of top-five finishes and placed ninth overall as a team Saturday at the Bob Roethler Invitational in Emmetsburg. "The [tournament] had some great competition this past Saturday," Okoboji coach Nate Dau said. "Blake Abrahamson was our lone finalist and looked great the entire tournament. ...

Competing against some of the top talent in the Midwest, eighth-ranked (2A) Spirit Lake Park placed 13th of 40 teams at the Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic held Friday and Saturday. "This is by far our hardest and most challenging tournament we go to during the regular season," SLP coach Andrew Lundgren said. "It brings in some of the top talent from 4-5 different states and really tests our guys physically and mentally. We use this tournament as a measuring stick for what things we need to address and work on in order to get our guys prepared for the postseason in two months. Before we start wrestling, I always tell the guys that your focus needs to be on the next match. (You) can't think about the previous one and you can't look ahead.". ...

Anglers who bought a 2018 Iowa fishing license may receive a phone call or email soon from Responsive Management encouraging them to participate in a survey to help the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) improve fishing opportunities across the state...

This fall’s wet weather has pulled the entire state out of drought conditions for the first time since May 2017, according to the latest Water Summary Update. Streamflow is above normal in most locations and shallow groundwater has recharged across all of the state...

A new open access study by leading scientists rebuts unfounded criticisms and reaffirms the need for effective outdoor cat control. According to researchers, coordinated critics have mounted a “misinformation campaign designed to purposefully fabricate doubt regarding the harmful impacts of outdoor cats and stymie policies that would remove outdoor cats from the landscape.”...

About this time last year I had an interesting conversation with a friend that wanted to get more involved in ice fishing. He is an accomplished open water angler: He has a nice boat that’s rigged with sonar and an electric motor. He has several rods and reels and a couple of tackleboxes...

It’s mid-December and ice anglers are chomping at the bit to get on good safe ice. Second season shotgun deer season has just finished up, and the late season muzzleloader season is now open. Archery deer season has also opened up again. Although the pheasant season is still open, the number of pheasant hunters has dwindled for many reasons. First, the temperatures on average are below freezing, the wind is often up and the layer of snow from the recent snowstorm makes walking that much tougher...

Someone's "O" had to go Friday in a battle of unbeatens, as No. 9 (3A) Okoboji hosted Siouxland Conference rival MOC-Floyd Valley. In the end, the host Pioneers suffered a three-point loss to the Dutch in Milford. Okoboji fell 47-44 to MOC-Floyd Valley...

Okoboji outscored MOC-Floyd Valley 25-15 in the fourth quarter but couldn't close the gap in a five-point loss to the Dutchmen in Milford. The Pioneers fell 72-67 to MOC-Floyd Valley Friday in Siouxland Conference boys basketball action. "This was another game where our guys fought their hearts out," Okoboji coach Ryan Stumbo said. ...

Harris-Lake Park got out to a slow start Friday but ultimately came away with a conference win over Akron-Westfield in Lake Park. The Wolves topped the Westerners 57-54 in War Eagle Conference boys basketball action despite being without junior guard Isaac Ihnen...

Dickinson County Farm Bureau Insurance Agent Michael Thoreson (third from left) was recognized during the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Annual Meeting for his work in partnership with Dickinson County Farm Bureau to serve the residents of the county...

After a successful $25 million bond issue, various public meetings and some staff input, plans for the Okoboji School District's new middle school are a bit more concrete. The school board approved drawings and layouts from the architectural firm FEH Designs. Tyler Riley presented the renderings and answered questions from the board during Tuesday night's meeting...

Harris-Lake Park suffered a 22-point home loss against Akron-Westfield on Friday. The Westerners topped the Wolves 58-34 in a War Eagle Conference girls basketball battle. "Akron-Westfield is a good team," Harris-Lake Park coach Andy Irwin said. "They have some good height, and use that to their advantage. We wanted to have a better start than we had against South O'Brien. ...

Okoboji split a pair of duals Thursday night in Milford. The Pioneers earned a 64-16 win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in the nightcap, but dropped a 53-27 dual to Sioux Center to start the evening. "We saw some good things overall as a team and some things we need to work on," Okoboji coach Nate Dau said. ...

Spirit Lake Park picked up a pair of Lakes Conference dual meet wins Thursday in Estherville. The eighth-ranked (2A) Indians topped Western Christian 72-12 and Estherville Lincoln Central 42-34. In their win over the Wolfpack, the Indians picked up five individual victories. Western Christian forfeited six weights. Spirit Lake Park lost matches at 170 and 285 pounds...