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The two Jeffs — Part I: Criminal cases reveal hidden hurt

By Russ Mitchell - Rust Publishing, NWIA

There are pictures of Jeff Wittler that no one keeps in their wallet or pocketbook. They don't get shared on Facebook. He's wearing jail-issued orange with a painted cinder block wall in the background. He's holding a placard with his name and inmate number 161548. Jail cameras captured the image of an young adult still trying to find his way in life...
The two Jeffs — Part II: Guilty plea leads to tragic end (6/25/19)

By Russ Mitchell - Rust Publishing, NWIA

Bev Wittler of Spirit Lake said she enjoyed everything about her son Jeff. Except his illness. What started out as an ADHD and anxiety diagnosis at age 10 evolved into bipolar disorder with psychotic features for Jeff at age 22. "He would have basically normal periods and then the descent into depression and manic episodes," Bev said...
Relay for Life hopes to meet fundraising goal again (6/25/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

Some of Friday night's Dickinson County Relay for Life festivities will be moved off Lake Street because of renovations in the Arnolds Park Amusement Park area. But, they won't move far. Organizer and American Cancer Society representative Dana Kauffman said activities will still be nearby in the Queen's Court and the large tent north of Preservation Plaza. The night will include the traditional walking component as well as children's games, a silent auction, dancing and more...
County gets plenty of feedback on future of Brooks Golf (6/25/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

The Dickinson County Conservation Board welcomed a large turnout Wednesday, June 19, as they looked for feedback about the recently acquired Brooks Golf property in Okoboji. The course was purchased by Dickinson County Conservation in early March through an anonymous $3 million donation. ...
Spirit Lake attorneys secure $3.9M settlement from state of Wisconsin (6/25/19)

By Russ Mitchell - Managing Editor

Wisconsin officials on Thursday confirmed a lawsuit settlement that will pay Laera Reed and Paige Ray-Cluney a combined $3.9 million for abuse that took place at the Copper Lake School for Girls in Irma, Wisconsin. Reed and Ray-Cluney were represented by Spirit Lake attorneys John M. ...
The Trip set to rock Live at the Lake (6/25/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

There's nearly 1,700 miles of highway stretching between Orange County, California, and Dickinson County, Iowa, but it's well worth The Trip. The five members of rock cover band The Trip will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 3 in Preservation Plaza as part of the Live at the Lakes concert series in Arnolds Park. Band member Erik Johnson said this will be The Trip's first visit to the Lakes Area...
Family tradition continues at Treasure Village (6/25/19)

By Doris Welle - Staff Writer

Nearly five decades ago a young couple with very small children decided to build a dream. Garth and Bonnie Neisess took a large parcel of land along Highway 86 north of Milford and turned it into Treasure Village. The family still owns what has become a family theatre playhouse, mini-golf course, ice cream shop, crafts shed and site for huge flea markets on holiday weekends...
Law enforcement challenged with limited resources (6/18/19)

By Randy M. Cauthron - Rust Publishing, NWIA

Regional law enforcement administrators agree, a lack of area mental health care services is taxing on staff and budgets – and there doesn't seem to be any relief in the immediate future as agencies continue to close and services disappear.
'The biggest mental health facility in the state is the county jail' (6/18/19)

By Randy M. Cauthron - Rust Publishing, NWIA

Many times, when persons dealing with mental health diagnosis commit crimes, and they don't meet criteria for emergency evaluation by the nature of their behavior, the individual finds themselves transported to the county jail where charges are filed...
IGL Chamber plans open house for new office (6/18/19)

By Russ Mitchell - Managing Editor

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is ready to showcase its new location along Highway 71 in Arnolds Park. The public is invited to join the chamber staff and board of directors for an open house event Tuesday, June 25. Tours will be available from 4-7 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis will be grilling burgers for those in attendance from 5-6:30 p.m. This event is free to the public, and all are welcome to attend...
County trails start continental conversion (6/18/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

The paint is dry and highly visible as planners continue efforts to make trail crossings safer for cyclists in the Iowa Great Lakes. The city of Okoboji decided to convert its single trail crossing on Stake Out Road in mid May. The result is the area's first continental-style trail crossing, characterized by large rectangles parallel to traffic...
Iowa Rock 'n Roll honors Senn during museum grand opening (6/18/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

Patrons, past inductees and the general public milled about the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Museum Thursday afternoon during the new facility's grand opening. Tours took a brief pause as a red ribbon was stretched across the entry of the display area, and officials with the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association said — and sang — a few words. ...
Iowa Supreme Court restores Christensen murder conviction (6/12/19)

By Russ Mitchell - Managing Editor

The Iowa Supreme Court wasn't convinced that speculation about a town riot prevented an Estherville man from receiving a fair trial in Emmet County. In its ruling Friday, the state's highest court restored the July 1, 2016, second-degree murder conviction for Lee Samuel Christensen. The 18-year-old fatally shot 19-year-old Thomas Bortvit about 13 months earlier, on June 6, 2015...
MHI Cherokee: a portal between the past and future of mental health care   (6/11/19)

By Elijah Decious - Rust Publishing, NWIA

Established state institutions also feel the impact as mental health care undergoes another period of transition in Iowa. The number of state inpatient psychiatric beds ranks last in the nation per capita and state administration actions have drawn increased criticism — particularly after closures of half the state's mental health institutes in July, 2015.
Mental health caseload takes a toll on hospital ERs (6/11/19)

By Elijah Decious - Rust Publishing, NWIA

As community-based organizations and providers drop out of the already ragged patchwork of mental health and substance abuse treatment care, one room becomes the safety net for the safety net: the emergency room.
The beat goes on (6/11/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the first seven weeks of 1997. Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" would claim that year's final 12 weeks, and in between the two hits, the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association was born. ...
Olympian emphasizes teamwork in beating cancer (6/11/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

Many a sports star's persona is forever tied to their athletic feats, but Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller hopes the lessons she learned during her battle with cancer will equally inspiring. She shared her story at this year's annual Lakes Health Conference hosted by Iowa Lakes Community College at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Okoboji. The now women's health advocate encouraged the Okoboji audience to prioritize personal health...
The people who care (6/18/19)

By Joseph Hopper - Rust Publishing, NWIA

The core of any mental health care service is the basic interaction between a patient and the mental health professional providing care. They have many titles, such as psychologist, therapist or counselor, and without their contributions those suffering from mental illness would face a much more difficult road to recovery and normalcy.
New programs, static funding strain Iowa's mental health system (6/18/19)

By Seth Boyes - Rust Publishing, NWIA

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds trumpeted the state's newly-minted children's mental health system, which calls for children's services in Iowa's mental health regions, regional crisis stabilization, mobile response teams, and 24-hour hotline access. While the state put $1.2 million toward home and community-based mental health services, no additional funding was given to the state's mental health regions to coordinate the newly required children's services. The regions are already tasked with overseeing the state's adult mental health care system.
At the forefront of mental health (6/18/19)

By Colin Van Westen - Rust Publishing, NWIA

The issues presented by mental health concerns in area schools can be as different as each individual student and as diverse as each community represented by its students. With these diverse needs, challenges unique to each building within ...
Spirit Lake Fire Department quickly contains vehicle fire (6/4/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

Spirit Lake firefighters quickly extinguished a vehicle which had caught fire shortly after noon Friday near the intersection of 23rd Street and Zenith Avenue in Spirit Lake. A crew of 10 men was more than a match for the flames, and the fire engines returned to their bays 42 minutes after being paged. Spirit Lake Fire Chief Pat Daly said the interior of the vehicle was largely destroyed after the flames were extinguished...
Plains Area setting up in former Compass Pointe space (6/4/19)

By Seth Boyes - Staff Writer

With several major changes among mental health providers in the region, it would be easy to overlook the new sign hanging on the door of what was once Compass Pointe Behavioral Health's Spirit Lake office. Plains Area Mental Health began moving into the space inside 710 Lake St. last month, according to Plains Area President and CEO Kim Keleher. She said the agency hopes to have the office fully staffed by July, and she expects the office will be fully function as of August...
Responding to the mental health crisis in NW Iowa: Beating the stigma  (5/29/19)

By Dana Larsen - Rust Publishing, NWIA

The landscape of mental health care in northwest Iowa is going through upheaval this season. The sudden collapse of Compass Pointe, which provided addiction counseling for area counties, left local leaders and clients scrambling for other providers, and the surviving providers reaching for a piece of the pie.
Communities pause to honor nation's heroes (5/28/19)

By Russ Mitchell • Seth Boyes • Doris Welle - Dickinson County News

An estimated 50 to 60 people walked across the lawn of the Dickinson County Courthouse Friday afternoon and installed flags in honor of veterans. The display is traditionally set up through a joint effort between the Spirit Lake American Legion and the Spirit Lake VFW in preparation for an outdoor Memorial Day Program...
Death Boat sheds light on boating laws (5/28/19)

By Doris Welle - Staff Writer

Residents of the Iowa Great Lakes Region get a fascinating lesson in nautical history with the release of the book "The Death Boat." Author Lloyd Cunningham began researching the tragedy because of some underwater photos that he was compiling for a book. The avid diver says he realized there was a story behind the photos he was viewing...

Community

IOWA LAKES ANNOUNCES RETURN OF COFFEE HOUSE SERIES

The Iowa Lakes Community College music department announces the return of the coffee house series for the 2018-19 academic year. This year's coffee house series features a new slate of performers. This is a free event and is open to the public. The coffee house series is an opportunity for students and community members to perform in a public setting while enjoying coffee, lemonade and snacks.

The first coffee house starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the student center, located at 300 S. 18th St., on the Estherville Campus.

Attendees are sure to enjoy a variety of vocal ensembles, including a featured performance with handbells. There will be a variety of musical styles showcased during to include country, jazz, show tunes, and more.

Anyone interested in performing at a coffee house series event should contact Rachelle Gewecke, music program assistant, at rgewecke@iowalakes.edu or (712) 362-8345.

TREE CARE WORKSHOP SCHEDULED AT IOWA LAKES Iowa Lakes Community College will be holding a Tree Care Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, on the Emmetsburg Campus. The tree care workshop will be instructed by two certified arborists and will include information about insects and diseases that affect trees, the ABCs of pruning, and the importance of pruning young trees. As part of the course, participants will take part in a walk around campus with a demonstration on proper pruning techniques. The class will be in room 3208 of the Ag Sciences building, with a cost of $59. Lunch will be provided. To register, visit www.iowalakes.edu/ce and search for class #2291, or contact 1-800-252-5664.

LAKE PARK UMC TO HOST FALL BAZAAR

The Lake Park United Methodist Church Fall Bazaar is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, with a bake shop, candy store, crafts and nearly new toys and home accessories for sale. There will be homemade rolls served from 9-10:30 a.m. with a freewill offering. A eat-in or take-out lunch of tavern sandwich or hot dog, green bean casserole, potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, homemade pie and beverage is available for $9 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12 and age 5 and under is free.

MCNAMARA TO SPEAK AT UUF

Colin McNamara a constitutional attorney with the Madison, Wisconsin based Freedom From Religion Foundation will speak to the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, Oct. 14. His program will address the purposes and duties of the nonprofit, educational organization. The foundation promotes the constitutional principles of separation of state and church and serves to educate the public on matters related to nontheism. McNamara has served as the organization's Robert G. Ingersoll Legal Fellow since September 2017. His practice specializes in state-church separation complaints arising from state and federal prisons, as well as court-ordered drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. A native of Upstate New York, Colin earned his degree from the State University of New York at Oswego and his J.D. from the University of Richmond. He previously worked for the New York State Attorney General's Office and the ACLU of Virginia. The Iowa Lakes UU Fellowship meets at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Okoboji. Coffee is served at 10:30 a.m. and the service begins at 11. An optional buffet lunch ($10) is offered after the program. For more information check the Fellowship website uuokoboji.com. Visitors are always welcome.

IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCE HOLIDAY MARKETING CLASS

Iowa Lakes Community College announced a free holiday-focused marketing class, entitled, "Drive a Holiday Shopping Rush for your Business," will be held on the Algona Campus. This class will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Entrepreneurs and business owners who want to have a successful holiday sales season are invited to take part in this informative event. Topics that will be discussed include how to get in front of your customers and how to showcase what a business offers using Google My Business, Google Ads, and more. Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a live stream presented by the "Google's Get Your Business Online" team who have partnered with the organization "Small Thanks." There will be a question and answer session and open forum following the live stream.

The class will be hosted by the Tietz Entrepreneurial Center and the Northwest Iowa Small Business Development Center.

To register, visit www.iowalakes.edu/ce and search for "holiday," or call 1-800-252-5664 for more information.

RSVP TO HOST OPEN HOUSE

RSVP of Dickinson County will be hosting a Volunteer Open House from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, on the Iowa Lakes Community College Spirit Lake Campus, Room 129. Current and future volunteers are invited. The need for volunteers continues to be requested by citizens of our county. Share volunteer experiences and learn about the programs RSVP currently has in effect. Opportunities continue to expand and we look forward to hearing about your interests to share some of your time and expertise with others in need. This open house is for those 55-plus that would be interested in volunteer opportunities in Dickinson County. You are able to choose your areas of interest and your own availability of commitment. Your time is so valuable to others.

OMELET BREAKFASTS HELD AT ST. MARY'S

A freewill offering omelet breakfast by the Knights of Columbus takes place every third Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Parish Community Hall. Made-to-order omelets, toast and all the fixings are offered — with special treats periodically like cinnamon rolls, fruit and ham or sausage.

COMPUTER DISCUSSION GROUP CONTINUES

The Morning Users Group (MUG) meets at 9:30 a.m. Fridays in the Black Box Theater of the Sami Center at the Spirit Lake High School. This group of beginner and experienced computer users discusses the latest trends in computer technology and smartphones — and how to solve problems brought by the users. Local residents and visitors are asked to bring their questions and observations for a lively discussion. The meeting lasts about an hour. Bring your own coffee. The group does not meet if Spirit Lake Schools are delayed or cancelled that day due to weather.

HYDROSCIENCE EXPERT TO DISCUSS LAKE WATER LEVELS

High water levels in 2018 promoted the Iowa Great Lakes Association (IGLA) to engage the University of Iowa's Institute on Hydroscience & Engineering Department's Dr. Larry Weber to evaluate and present options to prevent further devastation to the environment, personal property and the recreation/tourism industry that drives the economy of Dickinson County. Four high water solutions will be presented and discussed at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. The public is invited to the Sami Bedell Center for Performing Arts in Spirit Lake. The four proposed solutions as well as cost, implementation time and effect on water levels will be presented.

'DEATH BOAT' AUTHOR TO SPEAK

Author Lloyd B. Cunningham will visit the Spirit Lake Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26 to discuss his new book, "The Death Boat." "The Death Boat" is the story — told in detail as never before — of the boat crash on West Lake Okoboji in northwest Iowa in 1929.

NWIA CONCERT BAND TO PERFORM AT KEELSON HARBOUR

The Northwest Iowa Concert Band, will perform at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Keelson Harbour. Directed by Rich Nicklay, the band is comprised of volunteers from several communities around northwest Iowa and Southwest Minnesota. Public is invited. Music selections will include marches, patriotic, and sing-a-longs. Keelson Harbour Senior Living is located at 2810 Aurora Ave, Spirit Lake.

GRAND OLE COUNTRY TO PERFORM

Join Respite Angels at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, at Calvary Methodist Church in Arnolds Park for Grand Ole Country. Organizers are excited for Mike and Dawn to come back and share their love for country music. They play every year at the Clay County Fair and draw a crowd. Refreshments will be served and this is a free concert open to all. If you have any question please call Chelsie at the church 332-2447 or Kelly at Respite Angels 229-6064.

YOUTH PROGRAMS END WEEK AT MML

Milford Memorial Library has two amazing presenters leading up to the weekend: The Sanford Museum and Planetarium will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, with moon and astronaut activities, and Kindermusik will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, where kiddos can jump aboard the zoo train.

Stop by the library to get your Reading Log stamped for some awesome prizes like food coupons and out of this world space items. The logs are super simple to complete, and each one enters your kiddo in a drawing.

GUSTAFSON NEXT UP FOR PLAC SPEAKER SERIES

"Above Okoboji" author Tom Gustafson will be the next presenter during the 2019 Pearson Lakes Art Center Speaker Series. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, Gustafson will discuss his newest collection of high-in-the-sky drone photos of the area "Above Okoboji." His program will include numerous PowerPoint images from a drone, plus stories about drone photography shot in foreign countries and Hawaii.

CYCLING CLASSIC MARKS 35 YEARS

The 35th annual University of Okoboji Cycling Classic Bike Ride will take place Saturday, June 29, with the ride to begin at 9 a.m. from Florence Park in Milford. The Boy Scouts will be serving their world-famous pancakes from 7-9 a.m. Enjoy a 25, 50 or 100 mile bike ride through the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes area.

Registration is 7-9 p.m. Friday, June 28, and 7-9 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at Florence Park. The registration fee includes a Cycling Classic T-shirt, barbecue and beverage and music in Florence Park starting at 2 p.m. Proceeds from the ride have supported the Dickinson County Trails and other area projects. University of Okoboji Cycling Classic Bike Ride Director Jim Carpenter and "Iowa Boy" Chuck Offenburger invite everyone to come and enjoy this incredible event. "This is the best one-day bike ride in the state of Iowa," Offenburger reminds everyone.

DOERSHUCK FEATURED AT SPIRIT LAKE VFW

State Archeologist John Doershuck will be speaking at the Spirit Lake VFW Club, 914 Lake St., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29. He will have a display of Native American artifact from the State of Iowa collection. Local collector, Wally Jorgenson, will also have his artifacts on display. This presentation is sponsored by the Dickinson County Historical Society.

PRAIRIE WALK PLANNED

All plant and wildlife lovers welcome! Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Dickinson County will be hosting a 6 p.m. prairie walk Tuesday, July 16 at Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve. Private Lands Wildlife Specialist Amy Andrews will talk about native plants while the prairie is in peak bloom. Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve is located at 1840 210th Street west of Milford. From Highway 86 turn west on 210th Street. Travel 2 miles. There is a small parking lot on the north side of the road across from the quarry. Long pants, closed toed shoes, a water bottle and bug protection are recommended. The program will include a short hike on uneven terrain. Please RSVP to Katie Goodell at ISU Extension by calling 712-336-3488 or emailing goodellk@iastate.edu.

BACH AND BLUES PLANS ANNOUNCED

Arts On Grand is excited to make its first announcement in regards to the 2019 version of Backyard Bach and Blues. This year's event will be held at the home of Neal and Kitty Conover located at 1215 Grand Avenue in Spencer. This home is well known in Spencer as the Adams-Higgins House or simply as "The Mansion." The home has a rich history in Spencer and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Arts On Grand will be celebrating 30 years of enriching life in northwest Iowa through the arts in conjunction with our event this year. Help Arts On Grand celebrate on July 29 with wonderful food, refreshments, and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at Arts On Grand. Cost is $40 for nonmembers and $35 for members.

OMELET BREAKFASTS HELD AT ST. MARY'S

MUGS CONTINUES AT SLHS

The Morning Users Group (MUG) meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in the Black Box Theater of the Sami Center at the Spirit Lake High School. This group of beginner and experienced computer users discusses the latest trends in new computer and smartphone technology and how to solve problems brought by the users. Local residents and visitors are asked to bring their new technology questions and observations for a lively discussion. The meeting lasts about an hour.