Stories from Tuesday, February 5, 2019

If something is not done soon there will be no human life on this planet. According to Stephen Hawking, world famous scientist, we are at a "tipping point" with climate change. Meaning if we go beyond this point, we will not return. Hawking also said there will no longer be human life on this planet in about 100 years due to overpopulation and climate change, if nuclear war doesn't take care of the population first. ...

This is the third newsletter I’ve written as your state senator, and unlike our Constitution, I view this newsletter as a living, breathing, and evolving document. [That’s a joke … you can laugh.] Sometimes I will go heavy and deep on particular policy issues we're considering. Sometimes I want to give you a peek behind the curtain and a more personal flavor of life in the week of a legislator...

On Monday, the House of Representatives held an election contest to settle a disputed election in House District 55. House District 55 was decided by nine votes. However, there were 29 ballots set aside because they were received by the auditor's office after election day...

Go ahead, list five benefits of corn. Let's see — nutrition, cleaner burning blended fuel, environmentally-friendly packing peanuts, seasonal home decor … that's more of a use, um … I need a little help. So, I'd like to take the National Corn Growers Association up on the offer they made to educate Bud Light on the benefits of corn. ...

April 30, 1955 — Jan. 31, 2019 Chris Alan Kyle, 63, of Milford passed away on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial services were Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer. The Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

Feb. 10, 1937 — Jan 31, 2019 John Iversen passed from this world peacefully at 9:39 a.m. Jan. 31, 2019, at Winsor Manor in Estherville after a long bout with Alzheimer's. John was born to Ruth and Chris Iversen Feb. 10, 1937, in Pierre, South Dakota, and grew up on a ranch near Wendte, South Dakota. ...

Sept. 21, 1941 — Feb. 1, 2019 A Celebration of Life Gathering for Ken Bailey, age 77, of Spirit Lake, was held Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, at Village West Resort. Kenneth R. Bailey, 77, of Spirit Lake, passed away Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake...

June 21, 1947 — Jan. 21, 2019 Nina Elizabeth Whipple, age 71 of Spirit Lake passed away Jan. 21, 2019, at Avera Mckennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was born on June 21, 1947, to Gustav and Nina (Radtke) Lidman in Ottumwa. She was raised in Spencer and graduated from Spencer High School...

March 8, 1921 — Jan. 27, 2019 A funeral service for Stella Rodenberg, 97, of Spirit Lake was held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park. Stella Marie (Hoffman) Rodenberg died on Jan. 27, 2019, at age 97, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 8, 1921, in May City, daughter of William and Hermina G. (Nee Steinke) Hoffman...

Feb. 7, 1968 — Feb. 2, 2019 Tim C. Swalve, 50, of Milford passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Tim's family will be celebrating his life at his benefit on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Milford Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are encouraged to come and pay tribute to Tim. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

Sherry Kay Hartwig, age 48, of Spirit Lake was charged with theft from a building at 12:03 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, in the 2200 block of Highway 71 in Spirit Lake. She was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 12:51 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 on charges of fourth-degree theft...

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Legislative Forum from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Invited guests include District 1 state Sen. Zach Whiting of Spirit Lake, District 1 state Rep. John Wills of Spirit Lake and District 2 state Rep. Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids...

MillStone Park, to be located at 1212 Okoboji Ave., will be burying four time capsules during Pioneer Days in the summer of 2019 — one to be opened every 25 years in the future for the next 100 years during Milford’s 150th, 175th, 200th, and 225th celebrations. The time capsules, donated from Turner Jenness Family Funeral Homes, are 12-by-16 inch rectangular capsules. They are on display at Blink Marketing in Milford...

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship encouraged Iowans interested in beekeeping to consider enrolling in one of the 38 beekeeping schools that will be held around the state in 2019.  The courses are for both the beginner and advanced beekeeper...

The Alzheimer's Association is offering a free educational class for the general public on Friday, Feb. 8, at Keelson Harbour in Spirit Lake. The class, titled "10 Ways to Love Your Brain," is from 3-4 p.m. Join organizers to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help incorporate recommendations into a plan for healthy aging...

AMVC Management Services, a diversified swine management company, recently hired Dawn Koch of Milford as sow farm manager at Primrose Pork, a 2,500-head sow farm near Primghar. Koch has a strong swine background as she began working with pigs in 1996. She brings with her a wealth of experience from her previous on-farm leadership positions including breeding and farrowing lead roles and assistant manager...

Iowa District 1 Sen. Zach Whiting, R-Spirit Lake, introduced a resolution for a national term limits amendment proposal convention. The resolution, SJR11, was filed Wednesday and was referred to the committee on state government. Whiting also filed a term limits resolution to term limit the Iowa Legislature (SJR4)...

The SUV involved in the Jan. 20 accident on Storm Lake which claimed the lives of Anthon man Zackary Newlon, 40, and his son Blaire, 8, was recovered by specialists Friday. Okoboji Underwater Recovery Specialists from Spirit Lake recovered the Nissan Xterra that fell through the ice, after rescheduling the recovery twice due to poor weather and ice conditions...

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to task the county conservation board with maintaining a proposed wetland project in Francis Sites as well as similar low-impact development projects — or LID projects — already in the county. Supervisor Pam Jordan said the conservation board has recently gained real estate and is considering options like rearranging duties or hiring additional help...

Sango Bunmi Smith, a 2018 All-American wrestler at Iowa Lakes Community College, was arrested on felony drug charges during the overnight hours leading into Sunday, Jan. 27. Officers from the Estherville Police Department were dispatched to the college's Estherville campus for a fight and were further advised those involved were possibly armed with handguns...

Instead of a silent night this Christmas season, Nathan and Autumn Schultz were very excited to welcome another baby to love! Mataya Marie Schultz was born at 12:33 p.m. Dec. 6, 2018, in Yankton, South Dakota. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She was soon greeted by her older brothers, Beckett (3) and Braxton (1), in their home in Avon...

Though largely moved into its new location, some major changes are yet to come for GrapeTree Medical Staffing in Milford. Solar panels will hopefully help power the new office by this fall, according to Tim Kinnetz. The former company CEO transitioned to shareholder as his business moved out of Boji Plaza and into the former Boji Bay Funhouse and Pavilion. ...

Okoboji Summer Theatre announced its 2019 production lineup among the hustle, bustle and chilling temperatures at the end of January. The continued talent among student-actors signing up for OST productions has prompted the staff to slate four musicals for the second year in a row...