Stories from Tuesday, October 27, 2020

So many life events and celebrations, from graduations to birthdays and weddings have been impacted by the pandemic. Earlier this year, when schools shut down and entire sectors of the economy closed to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, it also put the brakes on routine screenings and life-saving check-ups with our health care providers...

It's a commonly-known statistic – one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. However, there's a lot more to know about breast cancer, and some of it might surprise you. 1. It doesn't just affect older women who have had a history of breast cancer in their family...

It seems oxymoronic, but two divisive topics will intersect in our national history next week. When the votes were tallied in November of 2016, no one had the foresight to predict we Iowans would be under a viral pandemic come the 2020 presidential election. ...

We are asking each of you to oppose new legislation that will have far-reaching consequences for Iowa's biofuels producers and farmers. Recently, a group of U.S. Senators and Representatives introduced legislation (the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020) that would begin restricting the sale of passenger vehicles capable of utilizing biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel by 2025 and would completely ban their sale by 2035...

In the summer of 2019, I had the pleasure of meeting many seniors in Dickinson County while working as an insurance company contractor completing home-based Medicare Wellness exams. I remember one woman I visited with sent me home with banana bread; another person gave me a cute little gag gift. He had crafted a small hammer that could be pushed down onto a quarter i.e., a "quarter pounder."...

June 5, 1928 — Oct. 20, 2020 A funeral service for Darlene Jungjohan, age 92, of Lake Park, was held Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Lake Park. Burial was at Round Lake Cemetery in Round Lake, Minnesota. Darlene Eleanor Jungjohan, the daughter of Fred and Clara (Lorenger) Kilker was born June 5, 1928, in Lake Park...

June 22, 1946 — Oct. 24, 2020 Mary R. Partello, 74, of Arnolds Park passed away on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at her home in Arnolds Park. A private family memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at the United Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. The service will be live-streamed for the public on the church's Facebook page. Arrangements are under the care of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

July 23, 1935 — Oct. 18, 2020 Due to COVID-19, the family held private family services at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids for Ramona Brand Gidley of Milford and formerly of Sioux Rapids. The Rev. Tonna Parsons officiated. Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids...

Elk Lake, near Ruthven in eastern Clay County, will undergo a restoration project to improve its water quality, eliminate a rough fish population and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will lower the water level in the 260-acre shallow natural lake this fall to install an in-lake outlet channel that will be used later to help to dewater the lake. It will remain about two feet low through the winter...

Inviting all ghosts, ghouls, goblins, superheroes and creatures alike! Stop by the Milford Memorial Library from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, to pick up some treats and show off your awesome costume. Dude, MML's YA Subscription Box: Back to the '90s is almost outta here. Register and you can bounce by until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28...

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announced a new initiative in advance of the nationwide "Small Business Saturday" holiday on Saturday, Nov. 28. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 28, the IGLA Chamber will launch "30 Days to Shopping Small" to promote local businesses and encourage the community to shop local this holiday season...

The USDA announced in late September that round three of their Farmers to Families Program to purchase and distribute agricultural products to those in need was approved. This program has succeeded in doing exactly what it was intended to do – supply fresh produce to Americans while also helping distributors and farmers who have been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other businesses they typically supply. ...

Shawna Nicole Wille, age 33, of Estherville was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, interference with official acts and assaulting an officer at 7:37 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at The Ritz in Arnolds Park. A criminal complaint said Wille was involved in an altercation and physical fight with the restaurant staff and later fought with law enforcement as she was being told to get into an officer's patrol car. ...

Asked during Thursday's final presidential debate about why another round of economic relief hasn't been approved to aid unemployed Americans and struggling local governments, President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, pointed fingers at opposite ends of the U.S. Capitol...

Party: Democrat Age: 56 Primary Home City: Des Moines Professional Background: Small business leader, community planner. Political Background: 2018 congressional candidate in IA-03. Education: Iowa Lakes Community College, Iowa State University, Mankato State University...

Party: Republican Age: 49 Primary Home City: Red Oak Professional Background: Iowa Army National Guard lieutenant colonel (retired); human resources and job training (various employers). Political Background: Iowa state senator, District 12; Montgomery County auditor...

Party: Democrat Age: 40 Primary Home City: Sioux City Professional Background: J.D. played minor league baseball and pitched in seven different countries. He then worked as a paralegal, specializing in intellectual property and trials law, but found his true passion in helping others through pro-bono cases. ...

Party: Republican Age: 51 Primary Home City: Hull Professional Background: Former businessman, current teacher at Dordt University and Iowa state senator. Political Background: Former Sioux County treasurer and current Iowa senator. Education: Bachelor's from Dordt University and master's from Iowa State...

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges in 19 cases against 44-year-old Angela Marie Rinkoski in exchange for her pleading guilty to three felony charges of second-degree burglary, identity theft and willful injury. Rinkoski and her attorney signed off on the guilty pleas Oct. ...

A constitutional amendment passed in 1962 allows voters in northwest Iowa to keep — or dismiss — judges and justices with a "yes" or "no" vote. Three District 3A judges, four Iowa Court of Appeal judges and four Iowa Supreme Court justices are on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Iowa State Bar Association conducts a Judicial Performance Review before each election cycle as a way of helping voters make an informed choice...

The winning bidder of the Okoboji Middle School auction filed a lawsuit against the city of Arnolds Park in September and accused the city of interfering with the sale, but a recent response filed by the city's attorney said a number of claims in the lawsuit seem to be aimed at another party — the Okoboji Community School District — which was not named as a defendant...

There are already 6,154 absentee ballots ready to be counted in the Dickinson County Auditor's Office with just one week left before the Nov. 3 general election. Dickinson County Elections Clerk Jordan Moyer said 2,366 voters came to the courthouse to cast a ballot in person as of Tuesday morning, and a little more than 500 absentee ballots mailed to Dickinson County voters had yet to be returned...

Dickinson County has a pair of staff members to guide property owners through conservations practices in the Iowa Great Lakes. Kevin L. Barber is a USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Conservationist. He received degrees in agronomy from the University of Minnesota, Purdue University and Kansas State University. ...

The No Boundaries Program presents a TEDxYouth@Okoboji Watch Party at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Superior 71 Drive-In on Highway 9. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature 10 speakers from the Lakes Area who are mostly youth — plus a few young at heart...

The Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis inducted five new members Oct. 22, with past Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis district governor Kim Wermersen (2002-03) officiating. The group is pleased to welcome: Lincoln Mason with Edward Jones, Andrea McMahon with the IGL Chamber, John McMahon with Cutty's, George "Clay" Norris with Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association and Michael Meyers, city administrator of Okoboji. ...

Spirit Lake had a successful day at All State Auditions this fall. On Saturday, Oct. 26, directors Luke Miller and Tyler Pedersen found out that senior Max Bower (bass II), senior Anna Fuelberth (alto I) and sophomore Ian Miller (bass II) were selected for the Iowa All State Chorus; sophomore Megan Sandison (French horn) was selected to the Iowa All State Band, and senior Quiana Hussey (flute) as well as junior Ben Fisher (percussion) were selected to the Iowa All State Orchestra. ...

The Milford Commercial Club invites area children to its Eighth Annual Trick or Treat with Milford Businesses. Hours are 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 (Please note the date change as Halloween falls on a Saturday this year). All participating businesses will have an orange pumpkin on their door or window Friday night. ...

The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association on Friday, Oct. 23, announced the most recent addistion the association's board of directors. "Speaking on behalf of the board and staff, we are so pleased to introduce Janice Hill as the latest member of our board," IRRMA Executive Director Clay Norris said. "Janice has a wonderful combination of career experience and professional musical experience that will serve our board well."...

When asked where she's from, Daria Mather has a hard time answering that question. In third grade, she moved from Des Moines to Peoria, Illinois, where she lived until coming back to Iowa for college at Simpson College in Indianola. She always felt like she would end up back in Iowa...

Voters will have the opportunity to elect six members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dickinson County Council on Nov. 3.  "The council members elected this year will be involved in bringing educational opportunities to Dickinson County for the next four years," Regional Extension Director Beth Frankenstein said. ...

Coming to the courthouse every day to make sure things are in order, arriving  early and leaving late. Lori Pedersen's steadfast dedication this election to the details will result in an uneventful tally. She deserves more than praise, she deserves a bonus. I am witness to it, every day, Saturdays and Sundays also. ...