News

LRH AUDIT REPORT RELEASED

Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) recently received their audited financial results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. LRH ended the year with a net income of $1,257,720, which was a 2.9% margin from operations.

LRH’s net operating revenue totaled $43,018,151, a 6% increase from the prior year. Operating expenses for the year totaled $42,818,911, a 7.2% increase from the prior year, and included $17,287,670 for salaries and employee benefits; $10,596,281 for supplies and other expenses; $11,870,648 for purchased services and professional fees; and $3,064,312 for depreciation. A copy of the audit report is available for review in LRH’s administrative office, in the Office of the Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s web site.

WAHPETON AUDIT RELEASED
Winther, Stave & Co., LLP has released an agreed-upon procedures report on the city of Wahpeton for the year ended June 30, 2019. The agreed-upon procedures engagement was performed pursuant to Chapter 11.6 of the Code of Iowa. Recommendations were made regarding the lack of adequate segregation of duties. A copy of the agreed-upon procedures report is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office, in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s web site.

MUG BEGINS THE NEW YEAR

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 (28th street entrance). This small group of enthusiasts discusses the latest hot topics in computers and smartphones, but often ranges to streaming videos, social media, organizing digital photos, escaping ransomware, flying drones, and genealogy. The public is encouraged to check out stimulating discussions to understand the new technology that you would like to know more about — but didn't know who to ask. There are no dumb questions. Your experiences can add to our knowledge. Discussion lasts about one hour. The group does not meet if Spirit Lake Schools are delayed or cancelled that day due to weather.

YOUTH EVENTS CONTINUE IN MILFORD

Come let your kiddos expel some energy at Public Playdate at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. Milford Memorial Library new some new items, and the program is free for all ages. MML and the ISU Extension/Outreach will have another round of 4-H Clover Kids at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. This month's theme will be "Marvelous Marshmallows." Miss Becca will have another storytime adventure at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27: "Beary Tired." The theme will focus on bears with a cute paper plate to take home. Everything will be provided by the library, so why not join the fun? Stay up-to-date with all of the programs and pictures through MML's Facebook page (@milfordlibrary), the programming calendar, and of course, the amazing Youth Page located on their website (http://www.milford.lib.ia.us)!

RESPITE ANGELS TO HOST UPCOMING EVENT

Join Respite Angels on Thursday, Jan. 16, at Calvary Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. Attendees will be making yard plate decorations with Marie Larson. Refreshments will be served and root beer floats will also be available. The free program begins at 10 a.m. If you have questions please call Chelsie at the church at 332-2447 or Kelly at Respite Angels at 712-229-6064.

GOP CAUCUS TRAINING PLANNED

There will be a Republican Caucus Training presentation at the Iowa Lakes Community College Spirit Lake Campus in Room #124. It is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday Jan. 16. This training is for Dickinson County Republican Central Committee members and all Republicans interested in learning what the Republican Caucus is about. It is also offered as a great educational opportunity for all interested Iowa Lakes students, students of voting age and the general public to get familiar with the Republican caucus process in Iowa. This training will focus on how a caucus is held, why it is held and the legal function of the Iowa Republican Caucus. For more information please contact: Dave Rowley, Chair, Dickinson County Republican Party (712) 330-5596 or Barb Clayton, Co-Chair, Dickinson County Republican Party (712) 330-1288.

DICKINSON SWCD TO MEET

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Dickinson SWCD will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in the District Office. A tentative agenda will include: election of officers, appointments of officers, assistant commissioners and employee committee, approving the minutes of the last meeting, treasurer's report and bills, reviewing the mail, approving cost share applications, amendments and vouchers, receiving NRCS and District reports, old and new business and planning for the next meeting. The SWCD Foundation monthly meeting will also be held Jan. 17. If special accommodations are needed, notify the Dickinson SWCD office by Jan. 16 at 712-336-3782, Ext. 3. 

FRAME SALE PLANNED FRIDAY

The Friends of the Spirit Lake Public Library will have a frame sale from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. There is a large collection of frames donated by Shaw's of Okoboji. Some have glass, many do not. Multiple sizes and finishes are available. No early sales will be accommodated.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY TO MEET

Iowa Lakes Genealogical Society will be car pooling from the Spencer Public Library at noon Saturday, Jan. 18, for a field trip to the Jackson County museum in Lakefield Minnesota. Plans call for a 1:30 p.m. tour at the Jackson County Historical Society and an annual meeting at the museum. The group will return to Spencer by 3:30 p.m. This is the group's January get-together. February will be back in the ICN room at the Spencer Library.

ST. JOSEPH SPAGHETTI DINNER RETURNS

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, in Milford will host its 19th annual spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 in the St. Joseph Parish Center. Spaghetti with homemade "secret recipe" sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage will be served. A free will offering will be taken with a suggested contribution of $8 for adults and $5 for children 5-12. In-town Milford delivery will be available that day. To place a delivery order, persons should call 338-2274 that day. Proceeds will support the works of St. Joseph.

ANNUAL JAZZ CONTEST APPROACHES

Iowa Lakes Community College will be hosting its annual jazz band contest for high schools on Thursday, Jan. 23 and Friday, Jan. 24. Students from area schools will travel to Estherville to perform and compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies in Class 2A, 3A and 4A. Each band will receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Performances will take place in the gymnasium on the Estherville Campus. A schedule with performance times for each group will be released at a later date, so stay tuned for updated information. There is no admission fee for this event and the public is invited to attend. Contact the Iowa Lakes music office at (712) 362-8345 or visit iowalakes.edu for more details.

WINTER GAMES BRIDGE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCED

Calling all bridge players! There is still time to register for the annual Winter Games Bridge Tournament. Doors open at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A soup and sandwich luncheon will be served promptly at 11:30 a.m. with party bridge to begin at around noon. Afternoon refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be awarded and cost is $13 per person. Reservations are needed by Wednesday, Jan. 22, to get an accurate court for food and bridge pairings. Make reservations by calling Susan at &12-338-2264 or email sreiser@milfordcable.net. Singles or couples are encouraged to participate.

PANCAKE FEED RETURNS FOR WINTER GAMES

The famous Boy Scout Troop #170 pancakes are back for the 40th Annual Winter Games. Hours are 7:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Arnolds Park Fire Station in the Arnolds Park City Hall complex. Pancakes, sausage and a drink for $6. The meal, hosted by the Milford Commercial Club, is a great way to fuel up before a day on the snow and ice.

BURNING OF GREENS DROP-OFFS ANNOUNCED

The Burning of the Greens is one of the many favorite traditions of Winter Games, and the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce needs the public's help to make it happen. The Chamber would love to take Christmas tree off the hands of area residents. Drop natural Christmas trees, wreaths, or any other greenery (without any lights or decorations) off to the trailer in the main Arnolds Park Amusement Park parking lot or at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake.

In just a few weeks, the Chamber will transform the holiday greenery into one amazing bonfire during the University of Okoboji Winter Games Burning of the Greens & Fireworks Extravaganza to be held on Preservation Plaza at 6:30 p.m. in the Arnolds Park Amusement Park on Saturday, Jan. 25.

We'll announce the winners from the various events, the cheerleaders will show you what they're made of, then those same eight people will ceremoniously "LIGHT! THAT! FIRE!" The celebration ends with a fireworks display.

The Chamber hopes to see residents and guests at the 40th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games presented by GrapeTree Medical Staffing Jan. 23-26. For more information on getting involved in the Winter Games fun, please visit uofowintergames.com or Facebook.com/UofOWinterGames for updates.

YMCA, HY-VEE ANNOUNCE NEXT SHOPPING BAG PROMOTION

The YMCA of the Okobojis has been selected as a beneficiary for the month of January 2020 in the Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program that supports local non-profits. The Y will use reusable bag proceeds to subsidize memberships, "camperships" and program costs for families.

The Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program, which launched in November 2019, is a program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where customers live and work.

The YMCA was selected as the January beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Hy-Vee located at 1500 18th Street in Spirit Lake. The YMCA will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 red My Heart Reusable Bag is purchased at this location during January 2020, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

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.

SWCD SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Applications for the Dickinson SWCD Foundation scholarship will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 14. The scholarship, for a graduating Dickinson County high school senior, is to be used for the first year of education at the college or vocational school level. The District Scholarship, in the amount of $500, is offered for any field of conservation or agricultural studies and in addition, the winning application will be forwarded to compete in the Conservation Districts of Iowa’s (CDI) Auxiliary Annual Scholarships. Applications can be obtained from the high school counselors at Harris-Lake Park, Okoboji, Spirit Lake or Graettinger/Terril High Schools, or by contacting the Dickinson Soil & Water Conservation District by calling 712-336-3782, ext. 3 or by e-mail to maxine.butler@ia.nacdnet.net.