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Beck proposes local firm inspect possible pipeline project (9/14/21)A second proposal for the inspection of trench and restoration work associated with an expected pipeline has been submitted to county officials. Brad Beck, president of Beck Engineering, spoke to the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning, offering the firm's services to inspect multiple aspects of the project. ... -
OSD to pay attorney fees, fine in open records case (9/14/21)A court decided the Okoboji Community School District must pay about $35,000 in legal fees to local businessman Tom Clary, who filed a lawsuit against the district in pursuit of records related to the sale of its former middle school property. Clary's request ultimately totaled about 4,000 emails from almost 300 accounts within the Okoboji School District. His attorney had argued the district's price for filling the request... -
Judge denies reduced bond for Lake Park Murder suspect (9/14/21)A judge has decided bond for one suspect in a Lake Park murder case will stay at $1 million. Allison Marie Decker asked the court late last month to consider reducing the dollar amount for her release. The 26-year-old is suspected of having murdered 25-year-old Angel Marie Bastman of Lake Park in December of 2020. ... -
Second murder trial of Spirit Lake man to stay in Sioux County (9/14/21)The trial for a Spirit Lake man accused of murder won't be moving out of Sioux County. Gregg Eugene Winterfeld filed a motion asking a federal court to relocate the trial due to what his attorney Brendan Kelly called "local sentiment" against the 71-year-old. ... -
Federal judge temporarily blocks Iowa ban on school mask mandates (9/14/21)A federal judge has temporarily blocked an Iowa law that prohibited schools from instating mask mandates on students. Under a Monday ruling by District Judge Robert Pratt, Iowa school districts may impose mask mandates on their students, staff and teachers. ... -
COVID-19 vaccines or weekly tests to be mandated for millions of U.S. workers (9/10/21)1More than 80 million employees of private businesses in the U.S. will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing as part of the Biden administration’s latest strategy for combating the still-surging coronavirus pandemic... -
County considers inspection agreement for expected pipeline project (9/8/21)An engineering firm has proposed an agreement to inspect agricultural land in Dickinson County affected by a possible pipeline project. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors decided to take some time to consider the offer. Evan Del Val, a civil engineer with ISG of Des Moines, presented the idea to the board Tuesday and said the services would ultimately cost the county nothing — the county would act as a passthrough, forwarding the bill to the pipeline company... -
IRMMA dedicates theater spaces to notable volunteers (9/8/21)Officials welcomed the newest inductees of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame on Sunday, but two other names were added to the museum walls Friday evening. The pair of theaters in the hall of fame were dedicated in honor of long-time volunteers Naomi Senn and Doris Welle... -
Pair charged in Milford sex abuse case plead guilty to lesser charges (9/8/21)A pair of Spencer residents accused of sexually abusing a Spirit Lake teen in February of 2020 have both pleaded guilty to aggravated misdemeanors. Both 22-year-old Jack Anthony Hess and 36-year-old Amanda Marie Cox were booked into the Dickinson County Jail in August of 2020 on charges of second-degree sexual abuse — a Class B felony — and child endangerment. ... -
Court defers judgement for former county employee charged with fraud, misconduct (9/8/21)A former employee of the Dickinson County Treasurer's Office pleaded guilty to the charge of non-felonious misconduct in office and a judge has deferred judgement in the case. The decision is distinct from a guilty verdict in that a defendant can admit guilt without a conviction on their record... -
Ernst hears new year's COVID concerns at LRH (9/8/21)U.S. Senator Joni Ernst visited with officials at Lakes Regional Healthcare in July of 2020 — she returned Thursday, and much of the discussion still revolved around the COVID-19 pandemic despite more than a year's time. As with her first visit, every person in attendance wore a cloth face mask to decrease the potential spread of the virus... -
Mobile museum shines light on rarely discussed history (9/8/21)A converted bus has been bringing little-known pieces of history to the masses for decades. The so-called bus-eum, an effort of the non-profit TRACES, made its way through the region last week and shifted into park outside the Spirit Lake Library Wednesday morning. ... -
Preservation group to buy 50 acres along East Okoboji Lake (9/8/21)The last privately owned stretch of undeveloped land along East Okoboji Lake will become a wildlife sanctuary and low-impact public park after a $8.2 million fundraising effort wrapped up with a day to spare. The nonprofit Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will retain ownership of the 50 acres just north of Elinor Bedell State Park, and will work to connect the two areas with trails. ... -
Clay County Fair creates next stop on planned Ag-venture Trail (8/31/21)Clay County Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons said fair officials are ready to make lemonade out of lemons at this year's fair after last year's events were called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Parsons called last year's cancellation the ultimate lemon. But organizers are preparing to once again open the fair's iconic gates, and Parson's said agricultural education will once again be an emphasis at this year's fair... -
Lake Park murder suspect seeks reduced bond, review of investigators (8/31/21)One of the two suspects accused of murdering a Lake Park woman in December is now hoping a court will reconsider the $1 million bond imposed for her release. Allison Marie Decker filed an Aug. 25 motion for review of the bond. The 26-year-old was booked into the Dickinson County Jail July 27 after being charged with the first-degree murder of 25-year-old Angel Marie Bastman of Lake Park. ... -
Iowa's ban on local mask mandates earns federal attention (8/31/21)The United States Department of Education said this week it will be looking into whether states which prohibit local-level governments and entities from imposing mask mandates are violating the rights of individuals with disabilities who may be at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19. ... -
Judge rejects plea deal in hit and run boating case (8/31/21)A judge has decided he won't be bound by a proposed plea agreement in the case of a Spirit Lake man accused of failing to lend aid after seriously injuring another boater last year. Zachery James Kruse was charged with the aggravated misdemeanor after turning himself in to authorities in early August of 2020. ... -
Spirit Lake Schools selected for mental health grant funding (8/31/21)Less than half the 130 applications for grant funding through the Governor's Emergency Educational Relief Fund were successful, but the Spirit Lake School District was one of the 64 districts selected. The grants are meant to assist in providing mental health support and other services to both students and families, according to the Iowa Department of Education. ... -
Local HOA demands county repair failed culvert, sinkhole on private drive (8/31/21)A homeowner's association near West Lake Okoboji has asked that a district court order Dickinson County to repair a drainage culvert and a so-called sinkhole on a private drive — county officials contend the culvert was installed privately outside the county's jurisdiction and is not the county's responsibility... -
UPDATE: Both Lake Park murder suspects enter pleas, share trial date (8/25/21)One of two individuals charged in the murder of a Lake Park woman has entered a plea of not guilty. Justice Ray Berntson entered the plea Monday. The 24-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder as well as second-degree theft and conspiracy to commit theft. ... -
FDA officially approves Pfizer vaccine (8/25/21)The COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company Pfizer received official approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, and it is now expected to be marketed as Comirnaty. The vaccine and others like it have been available under an emergency use order from the FDA since Dec. ... -
County approves Goodlow as new assistant county attorney (8/24/21)The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring of a new assistant county attorney during Tuesday's meeting. Attorney Steve Goodlow is expected to take on the role as of Oct. 4. Dickinson County Attorney Amy Zenor said. While the hiring process was expedited due to Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders retiring somewhat sooner than expected, the county will come out ahead financially with the hire. ... -
Census data shows county population still growing (8/24/21)Dickinson County outpaced the state's rate of population growth in 2020 — at least when it came to percentages. Earlier this month, the State Library of Iowa released U.S. Census Bureau data for 2020. The numbers showed the state population had grown by 4.7 percent since 2010 to reach 3,190,369 people. Dickinson County's population was shown to have increased by 1,036 people in that time — an increase of 6.2 percent... -
Reynolds, Ernst say Iowa will accept Afghan refugees (8/24/21)Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Joni Ernst said Wednesday that Iowa will accept Afghan refugees as the U.S. evacuates its allies from the country. “We are pushing, pushing, pushing to get as many Afghans out of Afghanistan as we can, and we’d love to have them here in Iowa,” Ernst told reporters at the Iowa State Fair while donning a red apron from the Iowa Pork Tent...
Community
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County trails receive Oktoberfest funds (9/14/21)Members of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce staff presented a $2,500 check to Erin Reed, executive director of the Dickinson County Trails Board, Wednesday Sept. 8. The funds were generated from the 2020 University of Oktoberfest celebration, which traditionally features a bicycle ride along the county's trail system. ... -
Commodores visit Okoboji Gas Company (9/14/21)A recent renovation helped the Okoboji Gas Company prepare to open its doors in early June, and the Iowa Navy Commodores paid the store a visit Friday morning to welcome the gas station to the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Owners Lorne and Briana Fauth had visited the Lakes Area several times in the past, and they noticed when the former Oh Shucks Bait, Tackle and Convenience Store went up for sale. ... -
Dukes to serve as president of the Opticians Association of America (9/14/21)Optique is honored to announce Johnna Dukes has been chosen to serve as president of the Opticians Association of America in 2022. Dukes was selected because, "She is an invaluable member of the Opticians Association of America’s executive committee helping steer the organization through complex decision making.” Dukes is currently the association's vice president... -
Wintz named to NCC shooting team (9/14/21)Northwest Iowa Community College recently announced members of the 2021-2022 Thunder Sports Shooting Team. Cody Wintz (back row, second from the left) of Milford was among them. The college's third Thunder Sport Shooting season will officially introduce the team to the campus community during the Days of Thunder Family Day event at noon Friday Sept. 24 at the Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center... -
Imagine group to help transform Lake Street (9/14/21)Imagine Iowa Great Lakes in partnership with Historic Arnolds Park Inc. and the city of Arnolds Park are planning an upgrade to Lake Street in Arnolds Park. The project will feature traditional brick pavers and large shade trees as well as layers of colorful landscaping, specialty lighting and seating options. Materials, landscaping and site furniture will tie Lake Street to other completed projects in the vicinity; such as the boardwalk, the Arnolds Park Promenade and the Berkley Bedell State Pier. ... -
Retired teachers association donates to senior center (9/14/21)The Iowa Great Lakes Retired School Personnel Association donated $200 to the Lakes Area Senior Center in Spirit Lake. Association President Dorothy Wagner bestowed the check to Pam Foxhoven, president of the senior center's board of directors, Monday afternoon. ... -
Iowa Lakes students honor veterans during Bushy Creek Honor Flight (9/14/21)Iowa Lakes Community College students drove to Fort Dodge to bring music to the 20th Bushy Creek Area Honor Flight Welcome Home Ceremony. Music students from Iowa Lakes Community College joined Iowa Central Community College students and others Saturday, Aug. 28 in Fort Dodge as part of a concert band to welcome home heroes. Austin Connerley, freshman trumpet from Charles City, played “Taps” for the four fallen soldiers whose flag took the trip... -
Free car seat safety checks scheduled for next week (9/14/21)Dickinson County Public Health will provide child seat safety checks from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at the Spirit Lake Public Library. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of unintentional death in children. About 60 percent of car crashes involving children occur 10 minutes or less from home. ... -
Milford Memorial Library News (9/14/21)Iowa Holocaust Council member and educator Brad Wilkening will be presenting Lessons of the Holocaust at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Milford Memorial Library. Wilkening’s presentation focuses on how lessons learned from the Holocaust are still relevant and can be applied in today’s world. ... -
Campus News 09-15-21 (9/14/21)Bailee Newman, a 2016 Spirit Lake graduate, received a Master of Science degree in communication disorders on May 8 from Baylor University, where she gained knowledge and skills in enhancing the quality of life for those faced with speech, language and hearing disorders. The university's Master of Science Program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. ...
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Dozens of new foods to entice stomachs at Clay County Fair (9/7/21)Fairgoers at the 2021 Clay County Fair will have 31 new foods to enjoy during their visit Sept. 11-19, including five that have been named as finalists for the fifth edition of the “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest. “In our visitor surveys, fairgoers tell us one of the top reasons they attend the fair is for the food,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “This list of unique new foods will only add to our reputation as a nine-day foodie festival.”... -
Dickinson County Museum continues fall programs (9/7/21)As the busy summer season slows, the Dickinson County Museum continues to offer open hours, special programs and ongoing opportunities for engaging with the rich history of this area, enjoying community, personal research and more. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. ... -
Spirit Lake Library News (9/7/21)Spirit Lake Public Library has purchased subscriptions to Scholastic BookFlix and TumbleBookLibrary for families to access from home. All you need is a device, internet access, your library card. These literacy resources are available on the children’s services page of the library’s website...
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Milford Memorial Library News (9/7/21)Join member of the Iowa Holocaust Council and educator Brad Wilkening at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 as he presents "Lessons of the Holocaust" at the Milford Memorial Library. Wilkening will address how people can apply lessons of the Holocaust in today’s world, where immoral acts are still happening. ...
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Arnolds Park Library News (9/7/21)The Arnolds Park Library would like to thank all the kids who participated in this year’s “Reading Colors Your World” Summer Reading program. A total of 192 kids participated in the 10-week reading program, which included four programming presentations and 10 weeks of reading goals...