Stories from Wednesday, December 26, 2018

County officials are one step closer to selling a county-owned building in Spirit Lake to its nonprofit tenant Hope Haven. The board took steps Dec. 4 to sell the building for approximately $150,000 with consideration given to payments already made. ...

A new tax year is almost here, and with that the bulk of the individual income tax changes from the 2018 tax reform law become effective. Particularly in light of federal tax reform, state tax reform was prioritized last session to fix the outdated and overly complex tax code-and one of the most important reforms was an average tax cut of 10 percent in tax year 2019. ...

I couldn’t be happier to make the following announcement: Congress has passed a Farm Bill that I fully support because this legislation meets rural America’s most pressing needs. As I meet with my Agriculture Leadership Committees throughout the 4th District, they provide me with important first-hand accounts of the difficulties our producers face. ...

As the Mueller investigation continues, President Trump has stated numerous times: "There is no Collusion!" He is probably correct. Legally, there is no crime defined as collusion. As Special Counsel Mueller continues his years-long investigation, the apparent crimes being pursued are obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit crimes against the United States of America...

April 27, 1928 — Dec. 20, 2018 A graveside service for Harriet Ostermann, age 90, of Spirit Lake, was held Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. She passed away Dec. 16, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. Harriet Lee Ostermann was born in Worthington, Minnesota, on April 27, 1928, to Harry and Alice (Smith) Cunningham. ...

Nov. 18, 1927 — Dec. 16, 2018 A funeral service for Jeanne Hanby, 91, of Spirit Lake was held Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Interment was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Delma Jeanne Hanby, the daughter of Albert and Delma (Ulrich) Heick, was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Los Angeles. Jeanne lived on a small farm near Spencer, where she attended country school. After the family moved to Spirit Lake, she graduated from Spirit Lake High School...

Feb. 24, 1942 — Dec. 13, 2018 A memorial service for Jerilyn (Jeri) Lowry, 76, of Spirit Lake will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Interment will be at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park...

July 9, 1933 — Dec. 17, 2018 A gathering of friends for Joanne I. Wohlert, age 85 of O’Neill, Nebraska, formerly of Spirit Lake, was held Dec. 20, 2018, at Christ Lutheran Church in O’Neill. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation. Joanne passed away on Monday, Dec. 17, at Parkside Manor in Stuart, Nebraska. Biglin's Mortuary of O'Neill is in charge of arrangements...

March 20, 1952 — Dec. 16, 2018 We mourn the passing of Victor Wendel Wilcke, 66, of Spirit Lake on Dec. 16, 2018. Victor was born at Des Moines on March 20, 1952. He was the son of Ernest W. Wilcke and Elaine M. Hillmann Wilcke. He attended school in Malcom and Grinell until he moved to Spirit Lake. ...

The Dickinson County Water Quality Commission awarded $305,528 toward clean water projects to be completed in Dickinson County. These funds will be matched against state and federal grants to provide water monitoring, education, coordination, best management practices and watershed protection in three watersheds of Dickinson County, Silver Lake, Iowa Great Lakes and Little Swan Lake...

A Dickinson County Sheriff's Deputy cited two men on drug-related charges as he approached a Spirit Lake eatery. The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office said the deputy smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from a vehicle as he was walking toward the local Subway around 7:24 p.m. ...

Rezoning requests from three different property owners in Dickinson County recently led to a good deal of discussion for the county board of supervisors. A total of six zoning-related decisions were made by the board during its Dec. 18 meeting. The board hoped to polish the language in each motion. In most cases, the board members were concerned with how county action might affect potential land use in the future...

Iowa Lakes Community College is hosting two "Express Registration Days" in January to assist students with the registration process.  Those interested are encouraged to arrive no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, and by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, to ensure that all questions are answered. Students should bring their diploma, ABE/HiSET/GED certificate, ACT scores and college transcripts to the admission office...

Milford Memorial Library is closing at noon on Monday, Dec. 31 and closed Tuesday, Jan. 1 for New Years. Join us for a Public Playdate! MML invites children and families to interact, have fun and use their imaginations with a variety of toys, building items, puppets, coloring sheets, puzzles and more. ...

Northwest Bank is adding Insurance services to their product and services selection. On Jan. 7, Northwest Bank will be launching Northwest Insurance Services. This new service will give the bank an opportunity to offer their retail and small business customers a comprehensive suite of insurance products...

  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener training has ended for the year in Dickinson County, with 16 participants completing training. Twelve of the trainees were from Dickinson County, one from Emmet County, two from Clay County and one from O’Brien County...

Commercial manure applicators should plan to attend the Commercial Manure Applicator Training Program from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 3. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct the required three-hour training workshop at that time. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but commercial applicators must register by Dec. 26 by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Dickinson County office at 712-336-3488...

Members of the Dickinson County Democrats gathered at Sunshine Foods recently to purchase Upper Des Moines Opportunity holiday meals for distribution to needy families in our area. (Photo submitted)

Plans are underway to replace older regional transit buses that provide service to northwest Iowa. “We are excited to begin transforming our fleet with new buses,” Rides executive director Hugh Lively said. "The vehicles range from 14 to 20 passengers. ...

Entry forms for the Oak Hill Marina Chili Cook-Off are available online at www.uofowintergames.com or in the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce office in Arnolds Park. This event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake...

Over the course of six months, five acquaintances have built relationships and became friends as they bonded through a common interest: board games. The friends formed a group, Lakers Area Board Gamers, and they are now working to share that passion with the larger northwest Iowa community through a weekend board gaming convention...

An audience of nearly 30 child care workers, advocates and concerned citizens gathered at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford to address state legislators prompting discussion about coverage and payment reimbursement through Medicaid under the Managed Care Organization system, the availability of child care and support for parents and the mental health resources in the state...

Despite it being just a few days until Christmas, I've personally come across a higher-than-average number of comments pointing the finger at the "liberal media" — frankly, at this point, that just comes with the job. The New Year's not too far away, and we're still convinced stories are meant to dupe the masses, rather than display the truth. Emotional appeals, rather than cold hard facts...