A Spirit Lake man accused of shooting his father has been sentenced in Dickinson County District Court.

Caleb Daniel Crosby, age 19, of Spirit Lake was sentenced to no more than 20 years in prison on Oct. 28. Crosby's initial attempted murder charge was amended to willful injury, a class C felony.

Crosby said that he "vows to turn his life around" via rehabilitation courses during his time in prison.

A new docudrama series about the Spirit Lake Massacre is in the works due to the efforts of Anita Bomgaars and her team at Friends of the Abbie Gardner Cabin Historic Site.

"It all began five years ago," Bomgaars explained. "I was at a neighborhood picnic at the lake, and one of the people there was a producer for the Hallmark channel."

The Iowa Great Lakes Area is gearing up for some national recognition thanks in part to its participation in the documentary series My Town, set to premiere between Oct. and Nov. of 2024.

Alyssa Petersen, of Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, says that the process has been fun from the very first phone call.

Parks Marina recently announced the sale of several properties Friday morning, including The Gardens, Okoboji Boat Works, O'Ferrells Sisters, Emporium, and the Highway 71 Driving Range.

Staff members at these locations will continue their employment as usual until Jan. 31, 2025.

Okoboji Boat Works employees will be transitioning into staff roles at Parks Marina.

Spirit Lake Community School Foundation has revealed two new scholarship opportunities for Spirit Lake students in 2025, being the Joyce Grim Memorial Scholarship and the Elaine Greer Memorial Scholarship.

"A lot of scholarships are available this year," said Jessica O'Rourke, high school counselor. "It's another opportunity for kids to qualify for a memorial scholarship."

Arnolds Park Public Library has officially raised enough money to launch its Imagination Library program as of Oct. 31. The library raised more than $26,000 over the last couple of months in order to activate the program.

"We announced the program and it was funded in less than two months," said Amy Pas with Arnolds Park Public Library. "I love where we live. People pitch in. Now we need to get the little kids signed up for the program."

November's Kenue Coffee Hour will be a 'hoot' as Dickinson County Conservation Board environmental education coordinator Danika Cox will inform attendees about Iowa owls. Kenue Coffee Hour, a free adult program, will occur at Maser Monarch Lodge at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7.

Route 86 Music is pleased to announce the Student of the Month for September: Sigrid Ahumada of Milford.

Sigrid just started guitar lessons but already knows many notes and chords. She learns quickly with such a great positive attitude. Congratulations, Sigrid!

Sigrid is taught by Gár Lambert, who has relaunched guitar and drum lessons in the region. Lambert is a teacher with more than 30 years experience in playing and more than 20 years teaching music.

In recognition of their contributions to patient care, Lakes Regional Healthcare is observing National Medical-Surgical Nurses Week Nov. 1-7. Medical-Surgical Nurses play a critical role in inpatient care, ensuring that patients are cared for safely, efficiently throughout the day and night. They work closely with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the care they need.

ILUUF: Healing A Divided Nation

Allan Saugstad will preside over the Sunday, Nov. 10  service for the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service held at the Lakes Area Activity Center (Senior Center), 2101 Zenith Ave, Spirit Lake. The service begins at 10 a.m. with fellowship to follow.

The annual Roundhouse Model Railroad Christmas Holiday Open House is planned for three Thursdays (Dec. 5, 12 and 19) and three Saturdays (Dec. 7, 14 and 21) at the Roundhouse club building.

The event will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Abby Sue Ferguson, age 35, of Spirit Lake was arrested on the charge of possession of controlled substance at approximately 3:20 p.m. Sept. 10 near 17th Street in Spirit Lake. According to the criminal complaint, Ferguson possessed green plant material believed to be marijuana. Ferguson has two previous convictions for drug related offenses in the State of Iowa.

Lake Park Municipal Utilities is working to identify service line materials throughout the water system and had determined that the water pipe (called a service line) that connects to several homes, buildings and structures to the water main is made from unknown material, but may be lead.

Because the service line material is unknown, there is potential that some or all of the service line could be made of lead or galvanized pipe that was previously connected to lead.

A new roof was constructed for the historic Abbie Gardner Cabin in Arnolds Park on Monday, Oct. 28. The cabin's last major restoration to the roof was in 1976.