Stories from Tuesday, July 7, 2020

As we look back at Independence Day, let's remember why we celebrate and defend our blessings of freedom, liberty and justice for all. In these uncertain times, America's promise is more important than ever. There's a saying among the faithful that God won't give us more than we can handle. Arguably, 2020 is putting this message to the test...

Last week in a Letter to the Editor the author suggested that since President Trump has committed so many crimes he will surely would be indicted and sent to prison. In a town that has 93 percent democratic voters one would think it would be difficult to find a jury that would not convict a Republican president. With all of those resources digging for any dirt on President Trump they surely would have found some crimes after four years of searching. Let’s see how they have done so far...

The U.S. economy has begun to reopen, but don't expect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to lessen, economists warn. The uncertainty could mean more Americans have trouble paying their mortgages.  Fortunately, homeowners have several options during this time.  ...

Sept. 19, 1926 — June 27, 2020 A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at First English Lutheran Church for Anna Marie Schomburg of Spencer and formerly of rural Dickinson County. The Rev. Paul Kaldahl is officiating. Interment is at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Warner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach's annual "Land Leasing and Value" meetings for agriculture property owners and tenants will be held at 11 different locations throughout August 2020. Proper social distancing and safety precautions will be taken for each in-person meeting...

The Mueske Family Foundation is leading the way to help alleviate the financial strain the YMCA of the Okobojis is experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation announced today a $100,000 match for all donations received by the YMCA until Aug. 1...

The Board of Directors of the Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NWIRHTF) will hold its annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16, via telephone conference. The mission of the NWIRHTF is to promote the creation and preservation of affordable for low to moderate income person residing in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux counties. The funding priority this past year was the financing of home repairs for low to moderate income homeowners...

March for Our Lives Iowa is excited to announce new co-state directors: University of Iowa junior and Okoboji High School alum Andrew Dunn and Johnston High School sophomore Esha Bolar. Dunn studies ethics and public policy at the University of Iowa and has been involved with gun violence prevention and systemic justice advocacy since 2014. ...

Teams of volunteers and dedicated organizers make a visit to the Iowa Great Lakes memorable each year. Unfortunately, the virus that causes COVID-19 has altered how we all work and play. Some events will be sidelined this summer — all plan a return in 2021...

The Arnolds Park Police Department and Dickinson County Sheriff's Office are credited with roles in a methamphetamine distribution conviction. United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced 30-year-old Amanda Adams to more than five years in federal prison on Tuesday, June 30...

A quartet of new faces was officially appointed Tuesday to vacant seats on the Dickinson County County Board of Adjustment and the Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission. Kirby Berhow was appointed to the board of adjustment, while Erica Schultes, Curt Smith and Jim Blum were appointed to the planning and zoning commission...

A Storm Lake teen was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on Thursday after authorities responded to reports of a reckless driver along Highway 9/71. A Spirit Lake Police report said 19-year-old Reath Stephen Yak was driving along the highway around 8:29 p.m. that day...

Officials at Northern Iowa Die Casting in Lake Park say no one was injured in a fire that broke out at the facility early Wednesday, July 1. Operations were expected largely return to normal as of this week. Jeff Skalbeck, president of Northern Iowa Die Casting, said employees on the overnight shift discovered the fire around 6 a.m. ...

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted to begin the second phase of its plan to gradually reopen the Dickinson County Courthouse amid the COVID-19 pandemic. County business was to be conducted by appointment or remotely during the first phase but, starting July 13, no appointments will be needed to enter the courthouse. The decision comes after local confirmed cases have numbered a little more than 50 in the past two weeks...

Meticulously restored and colorful, sporty vehicles wound their way around the Iowa Great Lakes Area Saturday evening, June 27. The Classic Car Cruise drew entries from the four-state area. Spectators gathered at many locations along the 35-mile long route to wave and cheer as the drivers passed by. The proud owners of the 171 vehicles commented on how much they appreciated the cheers and how much fun they had waving back...

The Spirit of Harmony Chorus, which has grown from a chorus of new-to-barbershop singers to a chorus who has competed internationally four times, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Spirit of Harmony began meeting at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake in October 1979 with 31 women present. ...

Scott Kuhnert from Brandon, South Dakota caught a tagged walleye on the north end of Big Spirit Lake on a recent Saturday and reported the catch to Kabele's Trading Post & Lodge! The walleye was caught using a slow death hook and crawlers. Kuhnert and his family have a cabin on Big Spirit and this is the first year in 15 years Kuhnert did not register for Walleye Weekend (due to it being canceled). ...

A Lake Park man who is already facing a charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon added a few more weapon-related charges to his court record over the weekend. Daniel James Wingert was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 10:44 p.m. Sunday on assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, carrying weapons, carrying weapons while intoxicated, operating while intoxicated, careless driving and interference with official acts. Bond was set at $6,000...

As the region tries to turn down the COVID-19 infection rates, the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association plans to turn down the music at its biggest event of the year. IRRMA on Wednesday, July 1, announced plans to postpone induction ceremonies for the Iowa Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Pandemic pending, those inductions will now take place Memorial Day weekend — May 29-31, 2021 — instead...

The Dickinson County Fair may have a chick-chick here, and a chick-chick there. But fairgoers, during the coronavirus pandemic, may be harder to come by. Details are still being worked out, but many of the usual fair spectacles will be closed to the public. The revised Dickinson County Fair is scheduled to take place July 17-23...

Let’s talk about masks. As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, with accelerating case counts around the U.S. and the death toll rising above 128,000 in this country, it seems unthinkable that the request of citizens to wear masks when out in public elicits such strong negative responses among a disturbingly-large segment of the population...

Celebrate Pearson Lakes Art Center's first big concert of the summer with Farewell Angelina on July 14. The 7:30 p.m. concert will take place at the Outdoor Amphitheatre. The cash bar is available. Attendees may bring their own lawn chairs or use ones provided on site...